Brookdale Bruiser held on to win the $6,000 featured pace at Vernon Downs on Monday (Sept. 2).

Brookdale Bruiser ($3.40) and trainer-driver John MacDonald jumped out of the gate and hit the first quarter in :27.1. They controlled the pace to the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.

Turning for home, Brookdale Bruiser looked like he was going to win easily, but 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 neck in 1:53. Jet Rock had to settle for second, and Tempster Hanover finished third.

Brookdale Bruiser, a five-year-old gelding by Roll With Joe, is owned by the J P Stables. It was his seventh win this season and the 15th of his career.

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. Both winners were trained by his father, Claude Huckabone III.

Joe Nassimos drove two winners on the afternoon as well, teaming up with Golden Brit ($3.90) and The Band K ($7.10).

Live racing returns to Vernon Downs on Friday (Sept. 6) at 6:10 p.m.

For more information, go to www.vernondowns.com.

(Vernon Downs)