from the Meadowlands Publicity Department

East Rutherford, NJ — Special Report got up in the final strides to win the first of two $50,000 divisions of the opening leg of the Presidential Series on Saturday night (Jan. 12) at the Meadowlands.

Special Report nipped Jilliby Generator by a neck in 1:50.2.

Special Report fired to the early lead, then grudgingly yielded to Jilliby Generator down the backstretch. Driver Larry Stalbaum tipped Special Report out of the pocket in mid-stretch and he closed for a neck victory in 1:50.2. Fox Valley Tribal finished third.

Special Report paid $5.20 to win the night’s fifth race.

“It worked out perfect,” Stalbaum said. “I was afraid I would get shuffled, but Brian’s horse (Jilliby Generator) kept going and nobody else was near him. He was great tonight and he’s got to be great for two more weeks.”

Lisa photos

Manhardt scored in 1:51.3 for Brian Sears in the second split.

Trained by Kimberly Asher, the 6-year-old son of Keystone Raider increased his lifetime earnings to $605,457 for owner Hugo Iodice of Bayonne, N.J.

In the tenth race, second division, Manhardt skimmed up the pylons to win by a length over Palone Ranger in 1:51.3. Gold Dust Beach finished 2-1/4 lengths back in third.

The Presidential series continues next Saturday, January 19, with a second leg and concludes with a $126,500 final on January 26.