181-1 Great Normand Wins Meadowlands Cup; Summer Squall Runs 8th

Great Normand, a 181-1 shot, turned in the biggest thoroughbred upset in the history of the Meadowlands Racetrack Friday night by winning the $500,000 Meadowlands Cup.

Not only did Great Normand, ridden by Carlos Lopez, win the race for 3-year-olds and up, he did it like a champion against a 10-horse field that included Preakness winner Summer Squall, highly regarded Opening Verse, Beau Genius, who came in with a six-race winning streak, and Mi Selecto, last year’s winner.

Great Normand carried 113 pounds and covered the 1 1/8-mile course in 1:47 1/5, finishing 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Norquestor. The 5-year-old son of Monteverdi paid $364.80, $91.40 and $15.60.

Beau Genius, the 122-pound highweight who battled with Norquestor for the early lead, finished third. Summer Squall, carrying 119 pounds, never got closer than fifth place and eventually faded to eighth. Mi Selecto was fourth with Opening Verse sixth.