Dr. Gold, Deeliteful Guy top Big M turf sprint

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - One young and lucky runner is going to get a big payday Friday night in the $75,000 Morven Stakes at the Meadowlands.

With so few chances to try a 2-year-old on the grass, the five-furlong dash has brought together a rag-tag group of 10 colts and geldings from all over the mid-Atlantic region.

None in the field has a stakes victory and there are two maidens in the group, but the supplemental nominations of Dr. Gold and Deeliteful Guy give the field some luster.

Dr. Gold will make his sixth start after finishing third in the Continental Mile at Monmouth Park behind two-time turf winner Hunter Cruise. Trained by Anthony Sciametta, Dr. Gold is the only one in the field with a stakes placing, and will be turning back in distance under apprentice jockey Julian Pimental.

Deeliteful Guy is one of the few in the field that can claim a turf victory, having won a sprint for trainer Christophe Clement at Belmont in July. He was a disappointing sixth when shipped to Woodbine for the Summer Stakes last month. Jean Luc Samyn, who was aboard for the Belmont win, is scheduled to reunite with the son of Afternoon Deelites.

Trainer Bruce Jackson will have a two-horse entry shipped in from his Fair Hills Training Center base. Silver Artistry broke his maiden just eight days ago at Charles Town. The son of Silver Deputy will race on the grass for the first time. True Genius is also coming off a maiden victory, but has been off since that win August 27.

*Despite losing a week of racing because of the terrorist attacks, the Meadowlands has shown increases in handle and attendance through 14 cards.

On-track handle was up 6.65 percent compared with the first 14 programs last year while total handle jumped 17.77 percent. Average attendance was up 1.29 percent. These numbers follow record-setting figures at Monmouth Park this summer.