by Evan Pattak for The Meadows

MEADOW LANDS , PA , Oct. 22, 2005­—On a night when a stinging rain and sloppy track fatigued many early leaders, Western Guy took advantage of the conditions to make up 7-1/2 lengths late and spring a surprising 29-1 victory in a division of the $118,000 Keystone Classic for 2-year-old pacing colts Saturday night at The Meadows.

The stake for Pennsylvania-breds was contested in three divisions, with Sea Dragon and Runover Again taking the other splits.

Chris Gooden photo

Western Guy winning at 29-1.

Western Guy, who was without a stake victory in his nine-race career, trailed early, with driver Mike Wilder peering through the rain and mist to gauge his chances.

“I couldn’t even tell how far back we were–it was awfully muddy,” Wilder said. “I was just trying to pay attention to my colt because he shows making breaks. He wants to go from low to high all in one step, so you have to hang onto him. One thing about him—he never gets tired.”

It was the leaders who tired while the son of Western Hanover had plenty in reserve. He drew off to win in 1:55 , 3-3/4 lengths better than Eagle Real One. True North Hanover , the 1-5 favorite, saved show.

Jake Huff, who trains Western Guy for Stable 45, Father And Son Stables and Rosalia Huff, said the $47,000 yearling acquisition may be pointed to the Matron Stake.

“He can’t handle his acceleration yet, although I’m sure in time he will,” Huff said. “I told Mike to get him set before you let him go, and I left the rest up to him.”

Chris Gooden photo

Sea Dragon scores in 1:55.1.

Sea Dragon, a recently gelded son of Dragon Again, also came from well back, using a knockout third-quarter brush to overtake 1-5 favorite Rock N Roll Star. Sea Dragon prevailed in 1:55.1, with Scarlet Champion 3-1/4 lengths back in second. Rock N Roll star dropped back to third. Winning driver Dave Palone said he intended to take back early no matter the track and weather conditions.

“He has big speed and he’s a gorgeous-looking animal,” Palone said. “He came well advertised early this summer, but he needed to be castrated because his attitude got in his way. The game plan with him was to duck. When he left the gate in the past, he was no good up close, so we were just going to race him from the back and get what we could get.”

Chris Ryder trains Sea Dragon for Canamerica Capital Corp., Diversity Stable and Lindy Farms of Connecticut.

Runover Again and Dick Stillings made a decisive quarter-pole move, although they had to repel a late “ Lightning Lane ” challenge from 4-5 favorite Sandro Hanover . Runover Again prevailed by a neck, with Up Front Danny Boy in third. The winning time was 1:55.1.

Roland Mallar, who trains the son of The Panderosa and co-owns with Ken Spurlock, Joe Yandoll, Jr. and Craig Rancourt, said he thought the colt would have a big chance in the Keystone Classic.

Chris Gooden photo

Runover Again and Dick Stillings.

“He raced good in Lexington ,” Mallar said. “He’s really matured in the last six weeks. He’s a strong, rugged colt, and he’s finishing up the year the way you like to see one finish up.”

A former Mallar trainee, Runover Feeling, jointly holds the Keystone Classic stake record, but the two “Runovers” aren’t related.

“The owners changed this one’s name to keep that “Runover” thing going,” Mallar said.