The Budster continued his late-season tear, capturing a division of the $76,800 Keystone Classic for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters Friday at The Meadows.
The second division went to In Focus, the PASS champion in his division. Dave Palone drove both winners, among his six victories on the 16-race card.
The Budster has won five of 18 starts this year, but four of those victories have come since Sept. 18 when he launched his torrid streak with an Oaken Bucket win at Delaware.
"He loves to come home," said Peter Foley, who trains the gelded son of Broadway Hall-Distaff for Stephen Oldford and Eugene Oldford. "He's not a speed horse, not a quick horse, but he's tough."
In the Keystone Classic, The Budster got to the front with a first-over move and widened his lead thereafter. He scored in 1:56.3, 5 lengths better than Foggy Lane K, with Reputation third.
Foley said the $25,000 yearling acquisition will continue racing at The Meadows in the Bruce Riegle stable before being consigned to the Meadowlands sale in January.
In Focus had little trouble taking his field wire to wire, prevailing by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:58. Skads Winner was second while Twin B Caviar finished third.
"He's actually getting better as the season goes on," Palone said. "He's as good as he's been all year right now. I never took his plugs out."
Jimmy Takter trains the gelded son of S Js Photo-Beverly Crusher, who pushed his career bankroll to $357,649, for Christina Takter, John Fielding and Jim Fielding.
In the $25,000 Filly & Mare Preferred Pace, Jans Luck converted a pocket trip to a "Lightning Lane" victory for Palone in 1:52.1. Vysoke Tatry was 1-1/4 lengths back in second while early leader Spring Break saved show. The partnership of Sylvia Burke, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and M1 Stable owns Jans Luck, a four-year-old daughter of Camluck-Jans Scooter who now boasts career earnings of $473,928.
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(The Meadows)