Brookdale Bruiser hangs on to win the $6,000 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Monday (September 2).
Brookdale Bruiser ($3.40) jumped out of the gate and hit the first quarter in :27.1. He controlled the pace to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.0.
Brookdale Bruiser, who is owned by the J P Stables and trained by MacDonald, turned for home in front. He looked like he was going to win easily as they hit mid-stretch. Jet Rock (Howard Okusko Jr.) found an opening in the stretch and came flying like a rocket. Brookdale Bruiser braced for the late charge and held on to win by a quarter-length in 1:53.0. Jet Rock had to settle for second. Tempster Hanover finished third.
Brookdale Bruiser is a 5-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe. It was his seventh win this season. He now has 15 career victories.
Young rising star Dylan Huckabone-Miller won the first two races on the afternoon. The 18-year-old, who drove his first career winner a day after he graduated from high school, went from last to first with Nubble Light ($6.10) to win race one. He took Dream Of Fortune ($3.60) to the winner's circle in race two. It was his first career driving double. Both winners are trained by his father Claude Huckabone III. Joe Nassimos drove two winners on the afternoon as well. He got wins with Golden Brit ($3.90), and The Band K ($7.10).
Vernon Downs returns to live racing on Friday (September 6) at 6:10 p.m.
For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.