Burning Roma upsets Meadowlands Cup

Burning Roma has been stabled at Delaware Park since coming to trainer Heather Giglio's barn in June. But it's clear that The Meadowlands is where Burning Roma feels most at home.

Proving that his 6 1/4-length romp in a minor stakes three weeks ago was no fluke, Burning Roma returned to The Meadowlands on Friday night and defeated 2-1 favorite Volponi by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2, $400,000 Meadowlands Cup. Windsor Castle finished third, 1 1/14 lengths farther back.

In three starts at The Meadowlands, the 4-year-old Burning Roma now has two wins and a second, all in stakes.

"He does like the track here; he loves it," said Giglio, the first female trainer to win the Meadowlands Cup in its 26-year history. "I didn't expect him to be in front, but he made the lead and kept on going."

Burning Roma ($28.40), ridden by Eibar Coa, earned $240,000 for the win to become racing's newest millionaire with career earnings of $1,205,537.

He covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.95 over a fast track.

Giglio said she is uncertain where Burning Roma, now 10 for 22 lifetime, will make his next start.

On the undercard, Thefull Circle ($4.60) got past pacesetter Political Attack by a nose in the $50,000 Princeton Stakes; Ocean Drive ($6) won by a 3 3/4 lengths in the $50,000 Salem County Stakes; and Serial Bride ($24.20) won a four-horse photo in the $50,000 Manila Stakes.