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By mere coincidence, both the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs kicked off their fall meets on Thursday. Also by mere coincidence, th...

Thursday’s card was billed as a preview for the Grade 1, $250,000 Grand National slated for October 15 at Far Hills with reigning Eclipse Award-winner The Mean Queen returning off an 11-month layoff in the $75,000 William Entenmann Novice in Race 1 and Snap Decision looking to secure a fourth Grade 1 score in the Lonesome Glory one race later. Both steeplechase stars went off at odds of 1-5 but were found second best on a day of upsets.

Away from the races since a narrow victory over Snap Decision in the Grade 1 Grand National at Far Hills last October which cemented her championship, The Mean Queen was also nominated to Thursday's G1 Lonesome Glory at Aqueduct, but opted for the Entenmann as a softer opportunity to ease back into competition. 

The kickoff begins this week with a pair of major stakes featuring major stars at Aqueduct, marking the sport’s return to the Big A for the first time in nearly half a century.

“He wasn’t a top horse on the flat, but some horses just love to jump,” said Fisher. “My old assistant has a horse who would turn left out of the gate, but loves jumping. Some horses just love it.”