Native Wave Wins Last Race at Meadowlands

Native Wave provided the curtain call for the old Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, N.J., winning Saturday’s $30,000 allowance/optional claiming event as the last horse to visit the winner’s circle at the historic Garden State racetrack.

Opened on Sept. 1, 1976, the Meadowlands has provided some of racing’s most memorable moments for both Thoroughbred and standardbred horses.  The new Meadowlands Racetrack, located on the opposite side of the oval is set to open next month as the old facility is slated to be torn down following the Super Bowl this winter.

Owned and trained by David Nunn, Native Wave took command in mid-stretch and held off the late charge of Briteliteinthecity to win the featured finale in 1:37 1/5 for the mile over “good” turf by a diminishing head.  With Edwin Rivera in the irons, Native Wave paid $11.20, $6.20 and $4.20.  Briteliteinthecity completed the $110.40 exacta and paid $9.60 and $5.60.  It was another length back to pacesetter Cytherean, who paid $3.40 to show.

A 4-year-old gelding by Rahy from the Point Given mare Danzig Point, Native Wave has won four of his 15 lifetime starts.