Meadowlands: Imports prepping on Saturday for Borgata Series

With the turn of the calendar to March, we're just weeks away from the first major stakes event for older pacers. With that in mind, there are a pair of pacers entered on Saturday night's Meadowlands program that hope to play a major part in the FFA events not just in March, but hopefully throughout the rest of the season.

Trainer Linda Toscano will send out American Dealer N, a 5-year-old by American Ideal, in Saturday's ninth race. While an import of sorts, American Dealer N debuts in the U.S. with a pedigree that is quite North American.

"He's as close to an American-bred as you can get," said Toscano of American Dealer N, a horse that Enviro Stables Ltd. owned outright when he raced in Australia but have sold interest to Ken Jacobs upon arrival in this country.

"He was a top horse Down Under," said Toscano, who had the horse arrive in her stable late in December and didn't need much time to have him ready for the races. "Scott [Zeron] drove him in the first qualifier and thought he was a pleasure to sit behind," said Toscano. "Last week Corey [Callahan] said the same thing."

American Dealer N drew post four on Saturday night in his debut stateside off a 1:50 4/5 qualifying mile on February 26 at the Meadowlands.

"He's a pony," said Toscano, describing the size of American Dealer N, "I'd say he's probably a bit smaller than Bettor's Wish, but he's got plenty of speed."

Speed is the word indeed for American Dealer N, and he'll get a test on Saturday night to see exactly where he fits initially, and perhaps give all a clue where he may be in a few months. Captain Barbossa, the 2020 Little Brown Jug champion, will be making his third start since joining the Daniel Renaud stable and drops from the Preferred for this event. Captain Barbossa landed post eight in the field of 10 that also includes some hard-hitting veterans, namely Tito Rocks (post six) and My Pal Joe (post nine).

"We're definitely pointing towards the Borgata series," said Toscano. "I might race him here [Meadowlands] one more time after Saturday and then go into the first leg [March 21] at Yonkers."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Trainer Shane Tritton thought Nandolo N was the best horse in his stable last August, but now he considers him one of three potential stable stars.

"I've got two other horses that could be as good or better," Tritton said, pointing towards Anothrmastrpiece N and Muscle Factory A in the process. "Anothrmastrpiece is a horse we've had here for a while and expected a lot out of, but he got injured. Muscle Factory was the first horse to break 1:50 winning the Victoria Derby," said Tritton, noting that Anothrmastrpiece N was right behind him in that mile.

With stakes season approaching, Nandolo N will carry the Tritton banner this Saturday at the Meadowlands and again in a few weeks at Yonkers for the Borgata.

"He's just a very tough horse," said Tritton of Nandolo N. "He paced in 1:50 at Yonkers last year, and he can go all day on the outside."

Unraced since November, Nandolo N, an 8-year-old by Betterthancheddar, has had two qualifiers spaced out over two weeks to prepare for the 2022 season.

"We just gave him an easy run two weeks ago," said Tritton, "Then we asked for a bit more speed last time and he was very good."

After a second-place finish behind another Borgata eligible in Tattoo Artist in his February 26 qualifier at the Meadowlands, Nandolo N makes his seasonal debut in Saturday's $34,500 Preferred Handicap (race 10). With just seven in the field, Nandolo N drew mid-pack post four with Tritton thinking long term.

"He may need a race," said Tritton, likely suggesting his horse will be looking to race from off-the-pace this week.

"We've got him staked to the big three races at the Meadowlands," said Tritton with hopes that the horse will improve on the $178K he banked last year, his first full season in North America.

Nandolo N will meet the classy veteran American History (post six) in Saturday's feature. The former Breeders Crown champion has won back-to-back starts at the Meadowlands for trainer Tony Alagna. Imports Let It Ride N (post three) and Sonny Weaver N (post five) have also shown the capacity to excel at this level.

Weekend racing at the Meadowlands has a 6:20 official post time and offers a pair of $50,000 guaranteed pick 4s both nights.