Today's Barn Notes

BRAVO LOOKS FOR EIGHTH RIDING TITLE AT BIG M; TRAINER'S RACE APPEARS TO BE WIDE OPEN
With the 24th season of Thoroughbred racing set to get under way at the Meadowlands, several of the horsemen ready to travel to East Rutherford have meet end honors in mind right from the onset.
 
"I always look forward to the change in racing when we head to the Meadowlands," said Joe Bravo, who has captured a record seven riding titles at the Big M. "The Meadowlands has always had the appeal of the night racing and many ship-in horses which create bigger fields which simply makes better racing. It's a great meet and I hope I can enjoy the same success there as I have in the past."
 
While Bravo has yet another title in sight, several other riders have their own interests at heart including the Meadowlands' all time leading jockey Nick Santagata who is just 59 wins from 1,000 career victories at the Big M.
 
"I just keep taking them one at a time now," Santagata said. "I've won a lot of races under the Meadowlands lights and just hope to keep winning more."
 
If the last five years are any indication of who will be this year's leading trainer, then the contest is certainly up for grabs. The previous winners include Faustino Ramos (1999), Eddie Broome (1997 & 1998), Joe Orseno (1996) and Danny Lopez (1995). Of those, all except Orseno are expected to appear at the Meadowlands on a regular basis.
 
"I think I can do it again," said Faustino Ramos, who celebrated his first Big M title last year. "I've got 28 horses set to go up north and I really believe that we'll do well this year."
 
With all these connections and more set to race the 2000 season at the Meadowlands, the meet should prove to be another big success.