Chatain figures a short price in return

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Chatain stages his comeback from a bruised foot Saturday night in the $60,000 William Livingston Stakes at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The larger goal for the talented 4-year-old is Aqueduct's Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Nov. 24.

Trainer Angel Penna Jr. had hoped to use last weekend's Sport Page Handicap, a seven -furlong race at Aqueduct, as the tune-up. When the track came up sloppy, Penna did not run the horse, who has overcome foot and ankle injuries this season.

Scratching out of the Sport Page left Penna limited time and options for a prep. The six-furlong Livingston became the best of a dwindling list of alternatives.

"It's not the ideal spot," Penna said. "I hate to run three-quarters, but I need a race if I plan to run in the Cigar Mile. It's the only thing available and that's what I'm going to use."

Chatain has not run since scoring a rallying victory in a third-level allowance at Saratoga. Penna planned to use that race as the springboard to the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga. The colt bruised his left front foot in his final Forego workout and has been on the bench ever since.

Chatain's recent works say he is ready. He worked four furlongs in 47.46 seconds on Wednesday at Belmont Park, the fastest of 30 works at the distance on the main track.

"He's in form; he's fit," Penna said. "He's ready. He was ready last Saturday but the weather stopped him."

Cornelio Velasquez will ride Chatain, a winner of 4 of 7 starts, including the Grade 3 Hal's Hope Handicap at Gulfstream Park in early January.

Chatain faces seven rivals in his return to the Meadowlands. He captured a first-level allowance here last fall by 10 lengths at 2-5, and the price figures to be short once again.

P. Kerney is one of the possible upsetters. The 6-year-old posted consecutive wins at Charles Town and Timonium for trainer Michael Trombetta before fading badly in his synthetic track debut at Presque Isle in late September.

Completing the field are Safe Play, Roman Candles, Divisa, Southern Missile, John's Pic, and Mr. Umphrey.

o Indy Wind finds a more forgiving spot than in his last race on Saturday in the $60,000 Alysheba Stakes, a race originally scheduled for Friday.

Last time out, Indy Wind finished a distant sixth behind Curlin in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont. There are no Horse of the Year candidates in the six-horse field for this 1 1/16-mile race.