Brutalizer returned to his winning ways on Saturday, June 20 at First Tracks Cumberland while taking the featured $9,014 conditioned optional claiming trot in wire-to-wire fashion.

After winning two-in-a-row back in the top Winners Overs class in May, the five-year-old son of Alarm Detector-Princess Serena was knocking on the door during his last three starts while being saddled with outside post positions.

This day would be different. Driven by Andy Harrington for trainer/partner Sara Harrington, Brutalizer was bet down to 1-5 and was given his head and encouraged to roll on from the start and proceeded to set a moderate :29.2 opening panel. Second choice Ghetto Boy (Hunter Lofthus) tracked loosely in the pocket while third choice and last week’s winner Little Macabee (Dave Ingraham) had some ground to make up in fourth.

Heading into the 1:00.2 half-mile marker, Ingraham pulled Little Macabee and started his trek first-over around the paddock turn. He found himself engaged and at the wheel of Ghetto Boy as the field approached the 1:30.1 third station.

But this race belonged to the favourite. Around the final turn, Brutalizer had gained some separation from his pursuers and rolled down the lane an easy 2-1/2 length winner in 2:00.2. Ghetto Boy hung on for second and Dusty Lane Darby (McGwire Sowers) was third.

Owned by Kyle Gibbs of Brooks, Maine, Brutalizer recorded his fourth victory of the season in 10 starts. The former Ontario Sires Stakes winner now has 14 career victories and earnings of $210,859.

Brutalizer returned $2.60 to win.

Trainer Bob Marston picked up a hat trick of wins on the 12-race card with Roddys Filly and Famous Fast Words, both driven by Kevin Switzer Jr., and Nasa, with Mike Stevenson in the bike.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)