Fresh off a recent vacation in New Zealand, trainer Chris Ryder returned this week to make the final preparations for a pair of his horses heading to Yonkers Raceway next weekend among five entered Saturday at The Meadowlands. Ryder has kept pace, so-to-speak, with his stable, watching Meadowlands races online during his two-and-a-half week stay in his homeland. “I was able to watch them last weekend at The Meadowlands,” Ryder said. This will be a first for Ryder in the Levy as both Rodeo Romeo and Billy Badger N are expected over the Yonkers half-miler next weekend after their starts this Saturday night. “Dexter (Dunn) owns Billy Badger N and he put up the money to nominate him to the Levy,” Ryder said. “I thought he was just ok in his first start here last week. You know if you can’t get up near the front it’s kind of hard to win.” Billy Badger N made his North American debut with a third-place finish closing nicely for Dunn in the stretch. He landed post six in a $20,000 event carded as race eight on the 13-race Saturday program at The Meadowlands. Ryder will have a second horse in the race with Rough Odds landing post nine. The trainer, of course, would have liked to see both horses in different races but was realistic about the options. “You know there are many situations just like this Down Under,” Ryder said. “So it’s not that big a deal. I’d rather have two in one race than have to miss a week.” Ryder has been encouraged by Rough Odds’ performance this year, but recognizes his best races are when he can come from off immediate pace. The 5-year-old by Bettor’s Delight may have a long way to come on Saturday. Rodeo Romeo was a major bright spot in the Ryder stable last year earning $157,555 in 24 starts, including a victory at Yonkers in the Sagamore Hill Series final. “Last year it was just a little too late to nominate him for the Levy,” Ryder said of Rodeo Romeo, who was finally sound after missing time with a knee ailment. “I’m happy with the way he qualified back. We’ll see how he fits in the Levy this year.” While it won’t be the half-mile track this week, Rodeo Romeo (post 7) faces three other Levy nominees in the evening’s $25,000 Preferred Handicap feature carded as race seven. Mac’s Jackpot (post 6), Photobombr Hanover (post 8) and Beckhams Z Tam (post 9) will be making their final preps before the six-week Levy commences. Ryder has an interesting horse in the opening race on the Meadowlands program by the name of American World. What’s intriguing is the 4-year-old by American Ideal is making his first pari-mutuel start. “He was hurt early as a 2-year-old,” said Ryder of American World. Bad luck continued as a 3-year-old but Ryder has kept the faith for a very good reason. “He’s always acted like a good horse,” Ryder said. “I think he will prove that out this year.” American World may have drawn inside due to the conditions but by no means will he have an easy time in this non-winners-of-two event. That’s because a pair of stakes horses will be making their seasonal debuts in the same race. Sports Legend (post 9) went winless last year as a 3-year-old but has banked more than six-figures in his two seasons at the track. Goldberg (post 10) appeared on course to be among the best juveniles in training last year, especially after winning a qualifier at The Meadowlands in 1:51 3/5 on July 21. Though a non-stakes winner, Goldberg managed to finish second to eventual Breeders Crown and divisional champion Captain Crunch in the Nassagaweya Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Ryder quintet will finish up the evening in race 10 as Bushwacker looks for his second win of the year in his eighth start. The 8-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding is on the comeback trail after a significant injury but has shown positive signs. Ryder has 18 future freshmen getting ready for action and among that group he likes three a bit more than the rest. Ryder pointed to sires Heston Blue Chip, Captaintreacherous and Western Ideal’s offspring as his favorites at this early stage of training.