Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Graduate & Cutler Contested

May 17, 2008

Mr Feelgood stuck his nose out at the wire, giving him the photo over Special Report in the $284,000 Graduate Final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Driver Andy Miller worked out a second-over trip for Mr Feelgood, who picked up his third stakes win this season. Miller sat fifth on the rail with Mr Feelgood while Artistic Fella took the lead from Special Report in a swift :54.1 half. Miller drafted behind Artist's View, who came first up to challenge Artistic Fella, and tipped Mr Feelgood three-wide on the final turn. Mr Feelgood soared home to narrowly best Special Report, who was trapped on the rail until the final strides, in 1:49.

"I just didn't want to get locked in on the rail," Miller said. "I wanted to be in the outer flow somewhere. I waited on Artist's View to pull off the backside and then I was second-over behind him. I knew [Artistic Fella] would be tough to beat and with Special Report sitting in the two-hole, it would be a horse race. But my horse felt great. He just keeps digging in. He has really been gritting it out and getting the job done."

The 5-year-old, who returned to the racetrack last year after a failed attempt at stud duty, also won the Presidential and Isle of Capri finals this year. Jimmy Takter trains Mr Feelgood for Brittany Farms of Versailles, KY, Lindy Farms of Enfield, CT and John Fodera of Staten Island, NY.

Earlier in the evening, Corleone Kosmos followed live cover and swept past the tired leaders to win the $200,000 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial in his 2008 debut.

The 6-year-old gelding surpassed $1 million in career earnings and equaled the stakes record with a 1:52.2 clocking. The race is named for the late New York restaurateur whose ventures included Carmine's, Virgil's and Ollie's Noodle Shop.
San Remo Kosmos and Green Day exchanged leads through swift early fractions of 26.4 and 55.2, setting an ideal pace for closers. Lanson was first to attack on the outside, towing Corleone Kosmos into perfect striking distance. Campbell hustled Corleone Kosmos past his cover for a 1 1/4-length tally. He paid $4.00, $2.80 and $2.60. Knight Of Intrigue closed stoutly for third.

Corleone Kosmos hit the board in 12 of 14 starts in 2007 and counted the Nat Ray Invitational among his six wins. Ross Croghan trains the 6-year-old gelding for Arthur and Scott Rudolph of Bohemia, NY and Bernard Owen of Long Beach, NY.

$200,000 Cutler Memorial Trot The Meadowlands--Race Six
PP Horse                     Driver
6 Corleone Kosmos      John Campbell
3 Lanson                     Ron Pierce
7 Knight of Intrigue      George Brennan
4 San REmo Kosmos     Andy Miller
8 Arch Madness            Brian Sears
2 Ripped                      Yan Gingras
1 Up Front Ben             Tim Tetirck
5 Green Day                Cat Manzi
9 Mythical Lindy           T Smedshammer
:26.4     55.2      1:24.4      1:52.2

$284,000 Graduate Pace Final The Meadowlands--Race Eight
PP Horse                        Driver
11 Mr Feelgood                Andy Miller
10 Special Report            Larry Stalbaum
5 Artistic Fella                 Tim Tetrick
1 Won The West              Greg Grismore
7 Western Shore             Jody Jamieson
2 Artist's View                George Brennan
4 Forensic Z Tam            Daniel Dube
8 Mypanmar                   David Miller
3 Spin Rate                     Ron Pierce
6 Total Truth                  Brian Sears
9 Southwind Lynx           Yannick Gingras
:27      :54.1      1:22.0      1:49