Abused 2-year-old filly expected to resume racing

A 2-year-old thoroughbred is recovering well from a sponging incident at Delaware Park and is expected to resume racing soon, trainer Larry Jones said yesterday.

The filly, Maren's Meadow, underwent surgery in October after mucus began draining from one of her nostrils following a race at Delaware Park. Doctors expecting to find a tumor instead found a small sponge that had been inserted deep into the nostril, hampering her ability to breathe and theoretically slowing down the horse.

The Delaware State Police are investigating the apparent race-fixing incident, but have made no arrests.

Maren's Meadow worked a half-mile yesterday at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where she was being stabled.

Officials at Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission did not return telephone messages.