Cliff Hanger goes to Saint Verre

Saint Verre beat Tempest Fugit to the lead and held off the closers to win the $150,000 Friday night at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J.

St. Verre fought Tempest Fugit for command for about a half-mile, inched away to a clear lead, and turned back a challenge by Pinky Pizwaanski in the stretch to win by a length. Spruce Run was another 18 1/4 lengths back in third.

Ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn and trained by Allen Jerkens, Saint Verre ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.40 over a sloppy track and paid $4 to win and $3 to place. There was no show wagering in the race, which was reduced to four starters after being switched from the turf course to the main track because of heavy rain. "He was strong the whole way," Samyn said. "He just kept going and I never thought the other horse would get to me. We obviously benefited when the race came off the grass."

Among the seven scratches was morning-line favorite Del Mar Show.