Goodwillambassador © Benoit Photo

Strongly handled by jockey Aaron Gryder, Goodwillambassador prevailed in a three-horse finish in Thursday’s feature race at one mile over a sloppy main track.

Goodwillambassador, owned by Mitchell and Smith and trained by Phil D’Amato, reached the wire a neck in front of runner-up Tidal Effect, with 4-5 favored Mongolian Groom another head back in third place in the field of six horses. Fourth was Ayacara. Withdrawn from the contest was It’s Tiz Time.

Goodwillambassador, a three-year-old son of Midnight Lute, ran the distance in 1:36.93 over a surface labeled sloppy after rain earlier in the afternoon. Sent postward at 5-1, the winner paid $12.60, $5.20 and $2.60 after his second success in a dozen starts.

Runner-up Tidal Effect, the 5-2 second choice, paid $4.20 and $2.40, while Mongolian Groom returned $2.10 to show.

Goodwillambassador provided D’Amato with his second winner on the card, the trainer sending out S Y Sky in the first race. S Y Sky was moved into first place upon the disqualification of Moon Kitty for interference in deep stretch.