Feelin Friskie in 1:49.1

Feelin Friskie, Doonbeg and Dave Panlone captured $50,000 ( C ) eliminations of the Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Saturday night. The top three finishers in each elim, plus Jereme's Jet, who was drawn by lot from the three fourth-place finishers, will advance to the $1.5 million ( C ) final Saturday night, June 17.

A powerful sweep on the backstretch paid off for Feelin Friskie and driver John Campbell in the first elimination. Feelin Friskie, who got away fourth behind Total Truth, Jeremes Jet and Ideal Michael, made a big move after the half was passed in :54.3. Campbell had the 3-year-old Artiscape colt in front of Jeremes Jet and Bono Bests when the field got to the three-quarter mark in 1:22, and they held off a very strong late effort by Total Truth for the win in 1:49.4, three seconds off the colt's lifetime mark. Total Truth got up for second, Bono Bests was third and Jeremes Jet hung on for fourth.

"I was very happy with him, every time you jump from sires stakes to open company it is a tough transition," John Campbell said. "I thought he could make the jump. He's raced well on the front before and tonight he held serve through the stretch. He had all he wanted, but that's a big mile. His consistency is his best weapon."

Feelin Friskie, who is trained by Scott Bell, has three wins and one second in four starts this year for owner Wayne Eric Whebby of Dartmouth, N.S.

With a huge late effort, Doonbeg captured the second elim in rein to Jody Jamieson. The sophomore son of Camluck-St Mattricks Way was fifth on the outside after opening fractions of :27.1 and :55.3 and made a brush to the front before the third quarter. Western Cyclone was in front at the top of the stretch but Doonbeg dug in and powered past him for the win in a lifetime best 1:51.4 over Western Ace and Fox Valley Tribal.

"The trip really worked out," Jamieson said after the race. "Last week he paced hard all the way home. Tonight I covered him up and swung him coming off the final turn. He really kicked home.

"I don't think he was tired finishing up. He's a real good horse. We got lucky tonight and hopefully he'll get some luck next week. You always need luck to beat these types of horses. It's a big thrill to be racing in the Cup. I got to watch Mark MacDonald race in it last year and it will be a big thrill for me to race in it this year."

Trained by James "Friday" Dean, Doonbeg improved his mark by more than two seconds and scored his second win in three starts this year for owners Clay Hartland Horner of Ontario, Torlando Farms Inc. of Florida and Scott Horner of Ontario.

Miller and Dave Panlone, a son of The Panderosa, got away fourth and made their attack after an opening quarter of :26.3, which was set by Lucky Point Blank. Miller and Dave Panlone had to settle for second beside Took Hanover past the 1:21.4 three quarters. But at the top of the stretch Took Hanover went off stride with the lead. Perfect Union, following the two leaders, ducked to the inside and grabbed the lead. But with the furious urging by Miller, Dave Panlone rallied for the victory 1:51.1. Impeccable finished third and Armbro Dynamic was fourth with a shot at the final.

"Tonight was the first time I ever sat behind the colt (Dave Panlone)," Miller said. "They told me the best trip was to get him on the lead. That trip didn't work out, but he was gutsy. He paced and fought hard every step of the way. My colt was wide open all the way."

As for a choice in the final, Miller stated, "I'm going with Bono Bests in the final."

Post positions for next week's final will be drawn Tuesday at Woodbine. That field, in alphabetical order is:
1 - Bono Bests
2 - Dave Panlone
3 - Doonbeg
4 - Feelin Friskie
5 - Fox Valley Tribal
6 - Impeccable
7 - Jeremes Jet
8 - Perfect Union
9 - Total Truth
10 - Western Ace
(Woodbine)

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