Finally, a win for Brush N Crush

Brush N Crush dropped 14 lengths behind at the quarter and appeared headed for 30 winless career harness racing starts.

But the four-year-old Art Major mare rallied from last, passed four horses in the final quarter, and shocked the betting public at 52-1 as she broke her maiden on Thursday at Yonkers Raceway.

Driver Joe Bongiorno made no attempt to leave with her from post seven and placed her behind all six opponents into the first turn. The leaders dueled to a :26.4 opening quarter before one – Roll With Kay (Scott Zeron) – broke stride and dropped to last. Oceanview Echo (George Brennan) headed the field to the half in :55.1.

Brush N Crush picked up ground on the backstretch and moved to the outside nearing three-quarters in 1:23.4. The mare followed an advancing Roll With Shorty (Jordan Stratton), who passed two tired leaders and struck the front going into the stretch. Brush N Crush, chasing her, unleashed a flurry of pace at the 1/16th pole and flew by a wavering Roll With Shorty to win by a neck in 1:55.

Roll With Shorty finished second over Pleasure Seeker (Jason Bartlett).

BRUSH N CRUSH VICTORY

Brush N Crush returned $106 as she won for the first time in 30 lifetime efforts. It was her second attempt for trainer Simon Spycer, who took custody of the horse at the beginning of August. Joseph Scanio of Brooklyn, Bart Fooden of Point Lookout, Gerald Orrico of Carteret, and James Cosenza of Monroe are the winning owners. The mare finished second eight times before earning her first win photo. She has made $37,754 to date.

Also on the card, former top-level pacer Springsteen took the finale. The son of Rock N Roll Heaven won the Matron at two and the Max Hempt Final at three; he now competes in mid-level New York and New Jersey overnights. He has made more than $710,000 and has won 18 times in 77 career starts. Owner Joshua Graber of Quincy purchased the horse on Apr. 4 and appointed C.B. Loney as the trainer. Bongiorno, who won four on the day, also piloted Springsteen to victory.

Yonkers Raceway will host two $70,300 divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old trotting fillies on Thursday, Aug. 19 for its next card. First post is set for 7:35 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink