Etched wins Meadowlands Cup

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—Etched held off Kiss the Kid by a neck Friday night to win the $300,000 Meadowlands Cup at the Meadowlands Racetrack in stakes-record time.

Etched ran the 1 1-8 miles on the sloppy, sealed track in 1:45,93, shading the stakes mark of 1:46 set by K. J.’s Appeal in 1998.

Etched, a 4-year-old trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Alan Garcia for the Darley Stable, improved to 5 for 6 with the biggest win of his career. He is unbeaten in five starts in the U.S. The lone defeat came in Dubai last year.

Etched closely followed Great Debater, a rabbit entered by trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. to ensure a quick pace to aid entrymate Anak Nakal. Etched put away Great Debater on the turn and held off a strong stretch bid from Kiss the Kid, making his final start before retiring to stud.

While Kiss the Kid concluded his career, Etched could be on to bigger things— like the Breeders’ Cup next month at Santa Anita.

“The way he ran here tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised,” assistant trainer Andrew St. Lawrence said. “That’s for Kiaran and Darley to decide.”

Etched earned $180,000, paying $5.40, $4 and $3.40 as the 8-5 favorite. Kiss the Kid returned $6 and $3.60. Anak Nakal rallied for third, paying $3.

Racketeer was fourth followed by Cool Coal Man, Good and Lucky, It’s a Bird and Great Debater.