by Mike Curry

A return to a traditional dirt racing surface made all the difference for Arson Squad on Friday night at the Meadowlands as he ended a seven-race winless stretch with a 2 1/2-length score in the $350,000 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (G2).

Prior to the Meadowlands Cup, the five-year-old Brahms gelding last visited the winner’s circle after a clear win in February 2007 in the Strub Stakes (G2), which was contested prior to Santa Anita Park’s transition to a synthetic surface on the main track.

With all California tracks switching to synthetic surfaces, Jay Em Ess Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Arson Squad struggled to regain his top form and he was transferred from California-based trainer Bruce Headley to New York-based Richard Dutrow Jr.

"He's just been training awesome since he got here," said Dutrow, who won the 2007 Meadowlands Cup with Diamond Stripes. "He didn't like the synthetic tracks in California, that's why we got him.  His previous trainer [Bruce Headley] did a great job with him. We were looking for a mile-and-an-eighth race for him and this fit perfectly. He's been doing everything right, and this worked out great. I can't see him going back to California for the Breeders' Cup. The Clark [Handicap (G2) on November 28 at Churchill Downs] would likely be the next step."

Arson Squad was reserved off the pace by jockey Edgar Prado in the 1 1/8-mile Meadowlands Cup as Timber Reserve set the pace through a half-mile in :45.91 while pressed by 8-to-5 favorite Past the Point, who entered off a runner-up finish to Curlin in the Woodward Stakes (G1).

Arson Squad powered into contention from between foes on the turn, surged into the stretch with a sweeping three-wide rally, and closed with a rush to seize command. Arson Squad drove clear in the final sixteenth as the 4.40-to-1 third wagering choice to prevail in 1:48.81 on a track rated as fast.

Pennsylvania Derby (G2) winner Anak Nakal rallied from last in the seven-horse field to edge third-place finisher Timber Reserve by a nose for second. Past the Point faded to fifth.

Arson Squad improved to six wins in 19 starts and boosted his earnings to $846,850. He is out of the winning Green Dancer mare Majestic Fire and was bred in Pennsylvania by E&D Enterprises.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor