EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Burning Roma claimed the lead down the backstretch and never looked back, winning the 25th renewal of the $400,000 Meadowlands Cup last night at the Meadowlands.

Burning Roma defeated Volponi, the favorite, by three-quarters of a length. It was an additional length back to Windsor Castle. Gander, the morning-line favorite, was scratched, and Laurel-based Include finished fifth.

"He wanted to go early, so I just let him go," said winning jockey Eibar Coa. "I broke kind of slow, but I saw everyone taking a hold so I just decided to go, and he really responded for me."

The 4-year-old son of Rubiano covered the 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1 minute, 48 4/5 seconds. Burning Roma paid $28.40 to win and headed a $119.20 exacta.

"He's just been getting better," said his trainer, Heather Giglio. "He does like the track here. I didn't expect him to be in front, but he made the lead and kept on going."