Teddy wins his first President's Race! [VIDEO]

Sure, it took him more than 500 tries.

Some of the most powerful officials in Washington even weighed in to support him.

But with the Washington Nationals clinching their first division title, and the franchise's first playoff appearance since the Expos lost the National League Championship in 1981, the powers that be decided to give Teddy Roosevelt his first victory.

Participating in the 526th "Presidents' Race"--one at each Nationals home game since 2006--has been a series of disappointments for the 26th president. Until Wednesday, Teddy had an unbroken string of losses to his opponents, George Washington (1), Thomas Jefferson (3) and Abraham Lincoln (16).

The terrible record even had Washington fans convinced a conspiracy was afoot to keep Teddy out of the victor's column.

Well, the wait is over. Teddy has won his first race (with the help of a fake Phillies Phanatic). Check it out: