Trailing by two lengths at the top of the lane, Quality Bud found another gear late and kicked past the leader to pull off the 10-1 upset in Monday’s $16,200 Open Handicap Pace at The Meadows.
Wild Wild Western appeared to have the race in hand, but that was before Quality Bud launched his rally for Dan Rawlings. The seven-year-old Quality Western-Rosebud-Heather gelding downed Wild Wild Western, with Carolina Beach — who experienced early traffic problems —a solid third.
Zach Tackett trains Quality Bud, who lifted his lifetime bankroll to $239,526, for My Buddy Stables.
Tony Hall collected four wins on the 15-race card while Dave Palone and Rawlings each fashioned a triple.
Live racing at The Meadows continues Tuesday when the 15-race program features a $14,768.05 carryover in the final-race Super Hi-5 and a $5,000 total-pool guarantee for the Early Pick 4 (race 3). First post is 12:45 p.m.
(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)