Tall Cotton hustled to the lead from post 6, then dug in late to capture Tuesday’s $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

Tall Cotton, who had been performing most recently at Yonkers, blazed through three-quarters in a demanding 1:23.4, making him vulnerable to the first-over challenge of Tamarind. But when Dave Palone asked Tall Cotton for late trot, the eight-year-old Revenue S-B Cor Peatra gelding responded, holding off Tamarind by a head in 1:53.1. Mike The Trader closed well at 25-1 for show.

Ron Burke trains Tall Cotton, who extended his career bankroll to $568,660, for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Edwin Gold and Howard Taylor. Mike Wilder and Palone each drove four winners on the 15-race card.

Elsewhere on the program, Scott Betts earned the initial training victory of his career when Doc Betts’ Buckeye prevailed in an $11,500 conditioned pace.

(The Meadows)