by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows

Washington, PA — Big Bad John endured a demanding first quarter but went on to score smartly in 1:53.2, fastest division of Tuesday’s (August 17) $180,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series stake at The Meadows.

The event for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers was conducted over nine divisions, with Vegas Rusty, Big Blabbermouth, Ishmael’s Brother, Bad To The Bond, Smile A Little, Pan From Nantucket, Jackson Killean and Willie Boots taking the other splits. Dave Palone fashioned a stakes driving triple (Ishmael’s Brother, Bad To The Bond, Willie Boots) while trainer Joe Caraluzzi and Bulletproof Enterprises enjoyed doubles (Bad To The Bond, Smile A Little).

In Jimmy Dean’s famous song, “everybody knew ya didn’t give no lip to Big John.” But on Tuesday, the competitors of the equine Big Bad John did not accord him and Brian Zendt that same respect, vying for the lead and forcing the pair through a wide first quarter in :27.2.

“He hadn’t been on the outside before,” said Ron Potter, who trains the son of Western Hanover-Trulyawork Of Art for Winchester Baye Acres, “and Brian said he was acting like he wasn’t grabbing the track. But I know the colt can go plenty, and I wasn’t too concerned.”

Once on the point, Big Bad John drew off to score by 5-1/2 lengths and knock a tick from his lifetime mark. Early leader Draconian was second, with Mr Perseverance third.

Potter said Big Bad John, a $130,000 yearling acquisition, may get a crack at some rich late-season stakes.

“We didn’t want to race him hard early, but he’s eligible to the Breeders Crown and races in Lexington,” Potter said. “We’re trying to get easy starts in him between now and then so we can have something at the end of the year.”

Vegas Rusty, a four-race maiden entering the stake, provided the event’s tote fireworks, tracking down the 2-5 favorite Twilight Artist and prevailing at 25-1 in 1:53.4 — all despite losing his first-over cover down the backside.

“I was kind of worried when our cover got back in the two hole,” said winning driver Tony Hall. “My colt is really green, and I didn’t know how he’d react to that. But it never really fazed him. It worked out for the best, but I’m shocked.”

Twilight Artist was a half-length back in second while Air Wing Hanover, who raced erratically and broke stride early, recovered to be third.

Steve LeBlanc trains Vegas Rusty, a son of Four Starzzz Shark-Deer Valley Miss, for Carter Racing Stable and LeBlanc Racing Inc.

Big Blabbermouth talked the talk and walked the walk Tuesday, making a confident quarter-pole move for Eric Ledford and holding off the late charge of Keystone Velocity to down that rival by a neck in a maiden-breaking 1:54.1. TKR’s Metro Specs completed the trifecta.

“I talked to his connections this morning,” Ledford said. “They said he’s a good horse who gets a little pouty on the front end. But we ended up having to go there. I didn’t want to go first over into a fresh horse. It was a good effort.”

Julie Miller trains the son of Western Hanover-Yenta Hanover for Andray-Lindwood.