Loyal Opposition wins easily

Loyal Opposition posted her second straight victory over a sloppy track and in the process won the $75,000 Thomas Strada Memorial--and her 47th career race--Saturday night at the Meadowlands. The 4-5 betting favorite took the lead just before the half and held off Easton Alliance N in the 1:52.1 mile. Weather conditions delayed the card after the third race when the track had to be scraped due to the heavy rains.

Burning Point, one of the top pacing mares last year with eight wins and almost $700,000 in earnings, was stuck racing from the back after starting from post 10 and never threatened. Restive Hanover, who beat Loyal Opposition in the Overbid final, also languished at the back of the field. Miss Galvinator A, an early leader in the mile, rallied through the stretch to take third.

The Strada Memorial is named to honor the memory of a horse racing enthusiast from Chatham, N.J., who lost his life in the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Thomas Strada was a vice president on the corporate bond desk at Cantor Fitzgerald. He was also the son-in-law of Hall of Famer George F. Sholty. Loyal Opposition also won the race last year, cruising to a victory over Artbitration.

Andy Miller drove Loyal Opposition to the victory for owner Daniel Waxman. "She was just awesome, considering the conditions," said Miller who drives the mare for his brother, trainer Erv Miller. "The weather is always a factor."

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