Mister Big and Mr. Feelgood each coasted to victory in their respective $50,000 elimination of the William R. Haughton Memorial for free-for-all pacers on Saturday night at the Meadowlands. In the first elimination, defending divisional champion Mister Big moved to the lead off the gate and rebuffed a first-over challenge from Artistic Fella to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:48.1. Artistic Fella finished second and it was a length back to Western Shore in third. Won The West and Silent Swing also made next week’s $600,000 final. Mister Big paid $4.40 to win.
“I really had no strategy coming in, it was a short field,” said winning driver Brian Sears. “It looked like I could control the race or at least be in the two hole at the quarter pole. I ended up cutting the mile. I really don’t think that is the horse’s best game, but he just showed he can get it done on the front if he had to. Well, I knew it was between me and him (Artistic Fella). (Artistic Fella) raced real game. (Driver Tim Tetrick) has got to be happy with (Artistic Fella) and I am happy with mine.”
“He likes this track,” said Joe Muscara Jr., the son of owner Joe Muscara. “I think you will see him coming. I don’t think you will see him up front next week. You will see him charging down the track. He and Artistic Fella are the two best open horses right now.”
Trained by Virgil Morgan Jr., the 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-World’s Sweetheart posted his third win in his fifth start of the year and increased his lifetime earnings to $1,897,689 for Muscara of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. In the second elimination, Mr. Feelgood led wire to wire to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:50. Special Report sat the pocket throughout the mile and finished second. Palone Ranger was 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Mypanmar and Eagle Luck scored the final two spots in next week’s final. Mr. Feelgood paid $8.20 to win. “I just wanted to get out there, up close somewhere,” driver Andy Miller said from the winner’s circle. “He hasn’t raced in a couple of weeks. I wanted to take it a little easy on him and see what happens. He got away with some fairly easy fractions and he just kicked home good. Jimmy (trainer Jimmy Takter) has done a great job with him. He’s been an honor and a pleasure to drive.”
Trained by Jimmy Takter, the 5-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Best Of Memories, notched his third win in his eighth start of the year for owners Brittany Farms, Lindy Farms of Conn. and John Fodera.
Elimination winners for both races earned the privilege of selecting their post positions in next week’s $600,000 final. Mister Big’s connections won the coin toss for first choice and selected post two, while Mr. Feelgood’s connections chose the rail. (Meadowlands)
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