Tall Cotton walked the field through a leisurely first half, then turned on the jets to capture Monday’s $18,000 Winners Over $10,000 Life/Preferred Handicap Trot at The Meadows.

Tall Cotton had to outduel Major Athens for the early lead, but Dave Palone then slammed on the brakes, giving Tall Cotton a comfortable :58-second first half. From there, the nine-year-old Revenue S-B Cor Peatra gelding won the sprint home, prevailing in 1:54. Major Athens was second by a head in the Lightning Lane while the first-over Classicality finished third.

Ron Burke trains Tall Cotton, who now boasts $672,471 in career earnings, for Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold.

Eric Goodell, Mike Wilder, Brian Zendt and Palone each piloted a pair of winners on the 14-race card.

(The Meadows)