The Night the Cup Runneth Way Over
With the final preps over, we will begin our Breeders’ Cup-related columns next week. But this week we are going to introduce the first in a series of future columns called for now “Little Knowns, Big Moments,” featuring rarely recognized horses who either made history or made an impact on the sport with a single momentous performance. Our preview column takes us back to a one-time major, but now defunct Breeders’ Cup preps. ~ Steve Haskin
The Night the Cup Runneth Way Over
By Steve Haskin
Now that we know pretty much who the leading contenders are for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, let’s take a look at the preps. Oh, wait, there aren’t any. At least not preps as defined by Webster — “A preliminary trial for a racehorse.” The Travers (nine weeks out) is not a prep, nor are the Pacific Classic and Jockey Club Gold Cup (eight weeks out) or even the Pennsylvania Derby and Goodwood (six weeks out). Do you want to know what a prep used to be and what was once one of, if not the most, successful preps for the Classic?
It was the Meadowlands Cup run two weeks before the Breeders’ Cup. The very first Classic winner Wild Again and Hall of Famer Alysheba won both the Meadowlands Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic. Blushing John used the Meadowlands Cup as a prep for the Classic, in which he finished a strong third behind Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Volponi, ran in the Meadowlands Cup and went on to romp in the Classic. So big was the Meadowlands Cup, it was won by the great Spectacular Bid, along with top-class horses such as Dr. Patches, Creme Fraiche, Broad Brush, and Marquetry.
And then we come to the 1990 running, and that is the stage for our story. Many of you may remember the outcome and why we are writing about it. But considering it was 35 years ago, we will assume there are enough who are unfamiliar with it and the winner who made history that night. So rather than jump to the ending to explain the purpose of the column, we will tell the story as it happened.
Jorge Romero, a native of Mexico, was a well-liked and respected trainer in New Jersey, who began grooming and riding horses at age 14. Despite not speaking English, he decided to come to America and was able to pick up a few horses to train off a farm in Florida. But when the farm was sold, and not knowing anything about the new owner, who had asked him to stay, he decided to move up north to try Atlantic City Racetrack, while his wife Renata, who acted as his interpreter, and their son and daughter remained in Florida until he was able to line up business. It was difficult at first, but when winter came, and with Delaware Park remaining open for training, he made arrangements for his family to join him.
With only a few horses and having to support his family with virtually no money coming in, he had to ship horses anywhere he could find races, which was mainly West Virginia and Penn National. It was a hard life for the family going from one track to another to find whatever small purses they could. When fellow Mexican Ramon Toca, who had bought the farm in Florida, sent Romero four horses in the mid-eighties and the first one he ran won at Garden State Park, Toca was so happy he offered to have Romero and his family return to Florida to train 24 horses he had bought as yearlings in Argentina.
One of them, named Indio Lobo, won his first six races by a combined 41 1/2 lengths and became known around Calder Race Course as “The Argentinian Wonder Horse.” But just before leaving to come to Monmouth Park for the Grade 1 Iselin Handicap, Toca sold him for $600,000 and the new owners decided not to come. Romero had already been given stalls at Monmouth and when he had immediate success he decided to stay in New Jersey rather than return to Florida, as Toca had requested. Toca took all his horses back and returned to Mexico. Indio Lobo unfortunately would tear his ligaments and wound up in $10,000 claiming races.
Romero built up his New Jersey stable and had 23 horses. He had met Mexico City businessman Victor Resk, who, along with F & J Parterships, gave him several homebreds, one of whom was a son of the Irish-bred stallion Monteverdi named Great Normand, whohad so many problems as a 2-year-old in 1987, including tendon trouble, fluid in his leg, and bone chips in his ankle, he didn’t make his debut until May 6, at age 3, finishing 11th, beaten 32 lengths, in a $12,500 maiden claiming race at Garden State Park. That summer, Resk told Romero to basically give him away, but no one wanted him at any price.
Following two more dreadful performances, Great Normand finally started getting healthy, finding a home on grass, and broke his maiden at Monmouth on August 8 and added an allowance victory on August 19 before finishing third in the Rutgers Handicap at the Meadowlands. But he then went off form, finishing out of the money in his final three starts that year.
At 4, Great Normand managed just an allowance victory at Hialeah before losing his final five starts, but blossomed into a solid stakes horse at 5 after an up and down beginning. Following a pair of allowance scores with the addition of Lasix, a victory in the 1990 Bet Twice Stakes, and a second in the Battlefield Stakes, Romero was preparing him for the Grade 3 Longfellow Handicap at Monmouth when an offer was made to purchase him for $100,000. But when the prospective buyer took one look at the horse he said he didn’t want him, even though the seasoned runner finally was 100 percent sound for the first time in his life.
Great Normand went on to win the Longfellow and then finished a decent fourth in the Grade 3 New Jersey Turf Classic at the Meadowlands. One morning soon after, Romero woke up and told Renata , “You know, he’s doing so good and I’m going to have to work him long anyway, let’s put him back on dirt in the (Grade 1) Meadowlands Cup. I really don’t think he’s going to embarrass himself.”
Renata said she used to get nervous when one of their horses ran and naturally was a bit apprehensive about such a drastic move up but, as she said, “I’m confident in my husband because he knows his horses so well.”
On paper, Great Normand looked totally outclassed, with five Grade 1 winners and four Grade 1-placed horses in the field, and several of them pointing for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. One of them was Preakness, Blue Grass, Pennsylvania Derby, and Jim Beam winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Summer Squall, who was the leading candidate for 3-Year-Old Champion and Horse of the Year honors, Others in the field included Grade 1 Iselin Handicap winner Beau Genius, who had already won nine stakes in his career; 1989 Meadowlands Cup and Pan American Handicap winner and 1990 Gulfstream Park Handicap winner Mi Selecto; Grade 1 Oaklawn Handicap winner and future Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Opening Verse; and Grade 1 Pegasus Handicap winner Norquestor.
Resk actually arrived in New Jersey for the event earlier in the week, but went back home after looking at the field and feeling it was too tough. With the owner not even willing to stay for the race, Romero started having second thoughts. Maybe he was in way over his head.
Then, two days before the race, Great Normand worked a half-mile in a sharp :46 3/5. Exercise rider Rene Robert said he never asked him to run and that he did it all on his own. But he also felt the horse had no shot and told Romero he “was crazy to run.” But Romero, having seen his work, shocked Robert when he told him he could win. With the horse having worked so well and with his trainer so confident, Robert decided he would bet $10 across the board on him.
Late afternoon and evening showers had turned the track sloppy by post time for the race, held under the lights, but the times were fast all night. Once the field broke from the gate and turned into the backstretch, Julie Krone gunned the speedy Norquestor to the lead over Beau Genius. She maintained a clear lead through strong fractions of :22 4/5 and :46 flat, as Great Normand, under 48-year-old Carlos Lopez and the father of 13 children moved up along the inside, before taking over the lead after six furlongs in a testing 1:10. Norquestor, trained by Sonny Hine, battled back and the two were head and head turning for home, Summer Squall surprisingly was backing up, and was found later to have bled through Lasix, while the other contenders were spinning their wheels.
With a final eighth in :12 2/5, Great Normand, to the shock of everyone, drew clear to win by 2 3/4 lengths, and his time of 1:47 1/5 for the 1 1/8 miles was only three-fifths of a second off the track record. Where did this race come from? What was this average at best grass horse, who had never even run in a Grade 2 race, doing in the race with nine Grade 1 dirt horses?
Great Normand with jockey Carlos Lopez aboard wins the 1990 Meadowlands Cup
Yes, longshots do win, but none had ever made history like this, and in his first Grade 1 stakes. The history Great Normand made on this night of October 12 was reflected in the gasp heard throughout the Meadowlands grandstand when the tote board lit up the astronomical win price of $364.80. It was the highest win price in the history of the Meadowlands, shattering the old record of $211.40, and the highest price for a Grade 1 stakes anywhere. The tote board “only” showed him at 99-1, so no one had any idea his actual odds were 181-1. In a strange bit of irony, the first horse Romero ever saddled in a Grade 1 race was Woltan in the 1984 Young America Stakes at the Meadowlands. His odds? 181-1.
The only down part to report was, because of the long betting lines, exercise rider Rene Robert was unable to get to the windows in time and was shut out. All he could say was, “It makes me sick to think about it.”
Great Normand failed to catch lightning in a bottle again when he returned to the grass two weeks later and finished 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He placed in two stakes at 6, and following a third in the Cliff Hanger Stakes at the Meadowlands he was retired, fading into obscurity after being sent to Italy, where he sired only 17 named foals, none of whom have any racing record listed.
Romero’s career also declined for reasons unknown. After earning nearly $1 million in 1990, he virtually disappeared from the U.S. record books with only five starts and one victory from 1992 to 2000. He did have seven winners and earnings of $129,000 in 2008, but no longer appeared after 2009, having only four winners from 38 starts that year, which coincidentally is the same year the Meadowlands stopped running Thoroughbred racing.
Sometimes you can have fairy tale moments without the fairy tale ending. Great Normand and Jorge Romero had that moment, but both are long forgotten. History will show that on one special night on the biggest stage, they put on a jaw-dropping show that sadly only those who witnessed it will remember.
Photos courtesy of the Meadowlands and Keeneland Library / Adam Coglianese
Racing historian, author, and award-winning retired journalist for the Daily Racing Form and The Blood-Horse, Steve Haskin was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame’s Media Roll of Honor in 2016. Known for his racing knowledge and insightful prose, he has been an exclusive contributor to Secretariat.com since 2020.
Im starting to think a 7yo Cal bred grey gelding—might win the $2 million BC Sprint! Lovesick Blues (great name!)…..prepped yesterday in a Cal bred downhill turf stakes, and ran very well, taking a nose defeat, finishing fastest—(hes now 0-for-nine, at the downhill)–his Bing Crosby was run in legit time, and he went widest, passing them all…..SEVEN years ….we’ve had 7yo Sprint winners, Cardmania and Elmhurst, both trained by Janine Sahadi—and like Lovesick Blues they were deep closers….
Delacroix will run in QUIPCO next weekend per Aiden.
Most everyone is anticipating the announcement that Thorpedo Anna will be retired this weekend. Per Kenny nothing physical, rather it’s mental, she is done with racing (paraphrase).
Indications Minnie Hauk will ship to Del Mar.
Both Minnie and Lake Victoria expected to return next year.
Hope you all have a nice weekend and are able to enjoy this lovely Autumn weather.
Steve, was that your lovely daughter Mandy in the photos on FB?
Yes accepting the award
I thought that was her.
Congratulations!!!
Globe wins the Group 1 Might and Power at Caulfield as an impressive prep for the historic Cox Plate.
The prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at a mile, 3 million in prize money, goes to Autumn Boy another to follow for the Cox Plate.
Davids, thanks for the updates on these important races. I watched this morning’s races (my time) at Newmarket, but the season is winding down in Europe now. Having seen many of the top European horses run this summer and fall, I feel better prepared to assess the Breeders Cup turf races. Only three weeks away now!
Such an excellent story, Steve. However, what I will remember most is that the exercise rider got shut out.
Im sure that’s what he remembered most. 🙂
I just read the 2026 foal crop is expected to fall another 300 to 17,000. Racing just isn’t a way of life anymore. Just a big business at the top end.
Australia’s foal crop has dropped 40% in 20 years to 11,529 for 2024 but prize money has rocketed to the best in the world over the same period. England’s foal crop has dropped from 4,601 in 2022 to 3,263 predictions in 2026 yet prize money has increased significantly in major races over the past 5 years or so.
For the RMBs received through September 30, 2025, The Jockey Club reports that 740 stallions covered 24,681 mares in North America during 2025.
In 2015 1,1407 stallions and 34,122 mares bred.
The Jockey Club estimates an additional 2,000 to 3,000 mares will be reported as bred during the 2025 breeding season.
Just looked at the report.
Tiz the Law had the highest number of mare’s bred in 2025 with 274 followed by Arabian Knight (273), Practical Joke (263), Justify (244), Charge It (235), Domestic Product (224), Gun Runner (218), Not This Time (214), Vekoma (211), National Treasure (202).
Correction, 1407 stallions in 2015
“Diane Crump, the first woman to ride professionally in horse racing in the United States and first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
Crump has chosen to live out her final days at home in Virginia through palliative care, according to a GoFundMe page her family created geared at raising funds for her medical expenses. (Per the “Courier Journal).”
I heard about Diane late yesterday but was reluctant to post until confirmed by a reliable source.
My thoughts and prayers are with her and her loved ones for peace and strength in the coming days.
This is terrible news and sorry to hear it. My prayers are with her.
Sad news indeed. Thank you for telling us about this I too will remember her in my prayers.
An awful diagnois for Diane. Thanks for sharing this with us.
It is a horrid disease for which there is no treatment or cure and it is not really known what causes it.
Mostly affects white males over the age of 60.
A beloved local journalist here in Georgis, Jovita Moore, passed away earlier this year from the disease.
Senator Edward Kennedy, former President Biden’s son Beau and Senator John McCain all had same condition.
Possible link to pesticides and numerous brain scans and x-rays.
Great piece, Steve. I love your stories of obscure horses and characters who were part of this great sport despite their diminutive stature. They all possess hope for the little guy and horse who rise up, albeit sometimes just once, to have their moment in the spotlight.
I am one of those who do remember Great Normand. The racing at Meadowlands was on my limited menu of tracks that I liked to play. In the 1990 Meadowlands Cup I had my money on Norquestor as I was a big Julie Krone fan and often bet her when she rode in a stakes race. When Great Normand won and lit up the tote board, I, like many others, went back to the form to see what I had missed. Aside from the fast work which I really don’t give much attention to, I wasn’t able to find a reason to invest in him.
Carlos Lopez was an underrated rider who brought in more than his share of longshot winners. Had I known that he was the father of 13 kids and needed every paycheck, I would have used him more on my tickets, lol. Leave it to you, Steve, to come up with these little known facts to had flavor to your stories. Good stuff!
Thank you very much Dewey.
Thank you for the article. That is a lovely testimony, reflecting the heart of what horse racing can be for so many. Highlighting Great Normand and his team is a respectful display of the importance of remembering horses and trainers lives and their dedicated efforts to find a path forward in thoroughbred racing, which can be a tough and grueling journey.
Thank you for commenting.
Kenny McPeek says the Spinster “was probably [Anna’s] last race.”
He needed to train her up to Breeders, but he doesn’t learn.
He won with her last year in Breeders Cup Distaff with a race between the Travers and the BCD.. MAYBE the test will find something. McPeek said she scoped clean.
That was last yr.When he pushed on to Belmont after Mystic Dan lost Preakness was foolish-as result MD out of action for months. Pushed at times with Swiss Skydiver when he she required a break. AGAIN, training Anna up to Breeders was the play.
Steve,
Great article here. I, along with others here, don’t remember Great Normand but like Andy Warhol once said “everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”. The irony of this story, at least for me it ia, was that on Monday I was traveling home from Los Angeles with my brother in his car, which is equipped with satellite radio, and we came across a station that was playing songs from bands that had “one hit” wonders and then you come out with this column. I keep hearing in my head the theme from Twilight Zone. !!!
On another note there is a lot of concern regarding Thorpedo Anna last race and rightly so but we have to remember even the great Secretariat threw in a couple of clunkers after winning the triple crown. Some say her race in the Travers took too much out of her but yet she won 4 races after that of which 2 were within a 2 month span of that race. Unless they find something (as of yet nothing announced) maybe she just had a headache that day. I hope cooler heads prevail and whatever decision is made for her she has nothing to prove but I love when she runs. She is a GREAT filly !!!
Looking forward to more articles/columns like this Steve as it is a nice change of pace.
Have a GREAT week !!!
Davids, what do you make of Ka Ying Rising getting beat, in a barrier trial, for The upcoming Everest? I think he wants fast and firm turf, do you think he will get that?..
You mentioned Dr. Patches in the article
He won the 1978 Meadowlands Cup and beat Seattle Slew in the 78 Paterson there. Have a commerative Meadowlands Cup t-shirt from 1984 when Wild Again won. Meadowlands had great racing back then. Too bad now they only have throughbred racing for only a handful of days now.
Steve, thank you!
Once again you have delighted us with a “blast from the past”.
Terrific story Steve. Thank you. Arlington Park, Hialeah Park Race track, and Hollywood Park come to mind as closed race courses. If my memory serves, Buckpasser set a world record for the mile at Arlington Park (equaled by Easy Goer) before Dr. Fager responded with a “take this” moment and his own WR. Which, if I remember correctly, still stands?
Dr Fager broke Buckpasser’s world record in 1968. Easy Goer missed Dr Fager’s record by 1/5 of a second in 1979. Dr Fagers record has never been broken on dirt.
What a great story, and one I’d never heard. Great Normand was certainly king for one day. Thanks for sharing this one with us, Steve.
Steve, this one serves up a whole lot of food for thought. The changes in training tactics, loss of so many race cards, and the inscrutable nature of horses are just a few things I’m left to ponder.
“We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day”
– David Bowie
There are/were those special moments. I sometimes think of the 1981 Jockey Club Gold Cup, when the reformed claimer Peat Moss came within a neck of taking down the mighty John Henry, a survivor in his own rightl
Steve thanks for this incredible story ! Sometimes you can have fairy tale moments without the fairy tale ending is a beautiful and wonderful line appreciate you so much !
I can close my eyes and my wayback machine puts me back there again! Steve, to see it thru your eyes in print just makes it even more wonderful! Thanks
What a terrific story! I’d never heard of Great Normand. I love the line “Sometimes you can have fairy tale moments without the fairy tale ending.” So true! I’ll be mulling over those words in the coming days.
Truly poignant!
I did not know the unlikely story of Great Normand, but the Meadowlands in those days brings back memories. Atlantic City ushered in the simulcasting era in the US by taking the Meadowlands races, which were nearly on par with the offerings from Belmont. Atlantic City transformed its terraced restaurant into a vast simulcast room, which was usually packed just to bet the Meadowlands card. I spent many nights there choking on second hand smoke and listening to Dave Johnson’s race calls.
Todd, your imagery puts me right there with you! As a kid, my parents and all my friends’ parents were smokers – indoors. I can smell it now, and I’m slightly ashamed to say that I can’t tell if I’m nostalgic or this is psychosomatic bronchospasm.
Another very enjoyable article!