Buddy Dave is fast becoming one of the most exciting horses at Emerald Downs.

The 5-year-old gelding staged another late rally Saturday and scored a neck victory in the $10,000 Carl’s Jr. Purse for 3-year-old and up. With regular rider Leonel Camacho-Flores aboard, Buddy Dave rallied between horses and edged Silver Sneakers for the victory.

Buddy Dave ran six furlongs in 1:10.29 and paid $10.60, $4 and $3.20. Vince Gibson is the trainer for Kingsport Syndicate #9.

A Kentucky-bred bay by Five Star Day, Buddy Dave has won seven of his last 10 starts*all in come-from-behind style*while rising from $2,500 claiming to the $10,000 claiming ranks. Saturday, Buddy Dave lagged in last place through the turn and stormed through the stretch to tag the leaders late.

Silver Sneakers, ridden by Joe Crispin, forged to a one-length lead into the lane but was caught late. For Tim Harder, trainer of Silver Sneakers, it was his first loss in four starts at the meet.

Olympic Lights, bidding for his 13th career win at Emerald Downs, finished a close third and paid $3 for show. Polish Dollar, Musical Trick, Prince Giddyup and Highly Decorated completed the order of finish.

Overall, Buddy Dave is 9-5-5 in 29 starts with earnings of $49,085.

NOTES: Nine different riders rode winners on the nine-race card, and Joe Crispin maintained a 15-13 lead over both Eliska Kubinova and Leonel Camacho-Flores in the jockeys’ standings. All three rode a winner Saturday, including Crispin’s $27.80 surprise aboard Bad as Can Be in the nightcap*Frank Lucarelli led the trainers with two wins and is now tied for first with Howard Belvoir at 10 wins apiece in the trainers’ standings*First-time starter Reliable Ema ($6.60) became the first winner out of the great mare Ema Bovary with a head victory for Northwest Farms and trainer Tom Wenzel in the fourth race. A Kentucky-bred by Smarty Jones, Reliable Ema was claimed by Crystal Ridge Farm for $20,000 and will now be trained by Robbie Baze. It was the third $20,000 claim at the 14-day-old meeting*Earlier on the card, Allison Ridge, owned by Crystal Ridge Farm and trained by Baze, became the meet’s first three-time winner with a 1-¾ length victory under Javier Matias*Live racing continues Sunday on Mother’s Day with a 10-race card at 2 p.m. Class Included is the 7-to-5 morning line choice in the $50,000 Hastings Handicap for older fillies and mares at six furlongs.