Marquetry Easily Wins the Meadowlands Cup

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Marquetry broke quickly and led all the way Friday night to easily win the $500,000 Meadowlands Cup.

Marquetry, the 5-2 favorite ridden by Kent Desormeaux, pulled away to win by eight lengths and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 1/5, four-fifths off of the stakes record.

The $300,000 he won gives the 6-year-old Marquetry earnings of $2,608,811 and probably will postpone his retirement to stud.

Valley Crossing, who went off at 3-1, surged late to finish fourth behind Michelle Can Pass and Northern Trend.

Press Card, which also went off at 3-1, finished last in the nine-horse field.

Marquetry paid $7, $5.20 and $4. Michelle Can Pass returned $22.80 and $7.20, while Northern Trend paid $6.20.