Mr. Feelgood wins Presidential final in photo finish

In a three-horse blanket finish longshot Mr. Feelgood (14-1) nosed out another longshot, Palone Ranger (16-1), and captured the $126,500 final of the Presidential Series in 1:50. Special Report was third.

Special Report and Larry Stalbaum took the field to the opening quarter in :26.3 with Mr. Feelgood (Andy Miller), Jilliby Generator (Brian Sears) and Palone Ranger(Cat Manzi) following. Sears moved Jilliby Generator to the lead before the :54.2 half and the order remained the same past the 1:22.4 three quarters.

As the field entered the lane both Mr. Feelgood and Palone Ranger were locked at the pylons while Special Report was able to get out to challenge the leader. But midway in the stretch the rest of the field faded and Miller was able to move Mr. Feelgood to the outside and rally past Special Report. But before reaching the wire Manzi squeezed Palone Ranger between the tiring Jilliby Generator and Special Report to force the photo finish.

For Mr. Feelgood the victory was his first of the year in four starts and his second since retuning to the races last November. The 2006 Little Brown Jug winner stood at stud for the 2007 breeding season. He’s owned by Brittany Farms and Lindy Farms and trained by Jimmy Takter.

“Jimmy has done a great job with him, putting him on Lasix and sharpening him up,” said Miller in the winner’s circle. “I was a little disappointed in him (in the first Presidential elim when he faded to fifth), but he’s bounced right back and been awesome.”    

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