Lincoln: My Dad's Bad wins

LINCOLN, Neb. - My Dad's Bad found an extra five-eighths of a mile just to his liking when he defended his crown in Sunday's Budweiser Marathon Starter Handicap at two miles.

My Dad's Bad rallied but fell a half-length short to Gun Runner in the 1 3/8-mile leg of the series June 20. On Sunday it was a much different story. My Dad's Bad took the lead just after 1 3/8 miles and coasted home a 20-length winner under Filmer Munaylla in 3:35.80 over a muddy strip. Gun Runner finished second.

The win was My Dad's Bad's second of the year, with the other coming May 28 against statebred claimers at one mile. At the two-mile distance, My Dad's Bad is 2 for 2.

Yuri Yaranga fell victim to the lap count in the marathon. After completing two circuits of this five-eighths of a mile track, Yaranga set Copper Sword down for the drive entering the stretch and fell about a neck short of pacesetting Nix of Time crossing under the wire. But the race wasn't over. As Nix of Time and the leaders continued on, Yaranga worked his mount back into stride and finished third after making one more circuit.

* R.D. Williams, riding here full-time for the first time in many years, will be a runaway winner of the title. He takes a 64-37 lead over Dennis Collins into the final four days of racing and padded his lead with a six-win spree last Friday evening.

Trainer David Anderson has built a 20-14 lead in the trainer standings and should have his third consecutive Lincoln title in hand when Sunday's final race is run. Steve Hall leapfrogged from fourth to second following his three-win night last Friday. Herb Riecken has 13 wins and Jim Compton has 12 as the battle for second looks to be a fight to the wire.