Elizabeth Brittingham’s As Bad As Thunder earned his first lifetime Open-level win with an impressive 1:54.4 triumph in the $18,000 Open Monday at Harrington Raceway

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The six-year-old Badlands Hanover gelding, who had been in claiming races much of the last two years, won his fourth race of the year and has been remarkably sharp since entering the Don Brittingham barn in February.

As Bad As Thunder and driver Bret Brittingham went around tiring favourite and early leader Broadies Song approaching three-quarters and opened up on the field for a four-length score over longshots Bad Man Sam and Remus Blue Chip. As Bad As Thunder, who returned $4.40, has rapidly been on the improve winning two winners-over level events before Monday’s triumph.

Drivers Ross Wolfenden and Tony Morgan each had three winners on the card. Roger Plante had a driving double.

(Harrington Raceway)