Mister Big and Mr Feelgood, both sons of Grinfromeartoear, 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 third race, 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 a 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]. His horse raced real game. He has got to be happy with his horse and I am happy with mine."

"He likes this track," said owner Joe Muscara Jr. "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, the five-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Worlds Sweetheart posted his third win in his fifth start of the year and increased his lifetime earnings to almost $2 million for Joseph Muscara of Huntingdon Valley, PA.

In the fifth race, second elimination, Mr Feelgood led wire-to-wire to win by a length and a quarter in 1:50.

Special Report sat the pocket throughout the mile and finished second. Palone Ranger was a length and a quarter 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 Takter] has done a great job with him. He's been an honour and a pleasure to drive."

Trained by Jimmy Takter, the five-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Best Of Memories, notched his third win in his eighth start of the year for owners Brittany Farms, Versailles, KY; Lindy Farms of Conn, Enfield, CT and John Fodera of Staten Island, NY.

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.

Three-year-old pacers were also in action earlier on the card, with Allamerican Major (Artsplace – Madison Rose) capturing the $30,000 Standardbred Retirement Foundation Pace for driver Dan Dube, trainer Nat Varty and owners John Fielding of Toronto, ON, Fred Hertrich III of Seaford, DE and Adam Victor And Son Stable of New York, NY.

Another impressive sophomore was Empire Breeders winner Bullville Powerful, who captured a $30,000 three-year-old open event in 1:49 for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer-owner Stephen Crevani, who co-owns with Carole Crevani under the stable name of Crevani Farms.

To view the charted lines from the Meadowlands, click here.

(With files from NJSEA)