The top two horses had tied for the second-highest go-round score of 218, behind Sam Shepard’s 219 on Playin Witha Cat.

Sunday’s victory was Austin Shepard’s second of the show. He kicked things off with a win in the $10,000 Novice on NQH Tom Cat.

He has previously won the Open title at the NCHA Eastern Nationals on Widows Freckles, Uno Dos Seventyseven, Widows Intentions and Smart Pistolero.

Owned by Buster Quirk of Denham Springs, Louisiana, who has won major Amateur titles on the 7-year-old gelding, Playin At The Mall has earned more than $270,000. He is by Playdox out of Poosmal, who has also produced CD Boonsmal ($230,000) and Peptowood ($137,000).

See results from the NCHA Eastern National Championships.