Driver Greg Grismore made an early holiday haul Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's pair of $40,000 Open Handicaps with Beach Nut Brand (Trot) and Binions (Filly and Mare Pace).
Beach Nut Brand, leaving from penultimate post position No. 7, was shy early as American Lane (Cat Manzi) stepped around both Indiana Hall (Jeff Gregory) and upstate invader Pablo Angus (Dan Capello Jr.).
American Lane, last week's winner, led through this week's early fractions of :28.2 and :59.2. Despite the soft second stanzza, he was poweless to stave off Beach Nut Brand.
That one came first-up, went up and over the leader before the 1:27.4 three-quarters, then shamelessly ran up the score. He won by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:57. Pablo Angus, the tepid 2-1 choice after an Albany form spree, did get into second, with American Lane, Indiana Hall and Light Headed (Jason Bartlett) completing the cashers.
For Beach Nut Brand, a six-year-old Branded gelding, he returned $18.80 (fourth choice) for his sixth win in 33 seasonal starts. Mark Harder trains for co-owners Stable 45 and Scott Kurzrok. The exacta paid $107, with the triple returning $1,008.
Binions, leaving from post No. 4 in the weekly distaff derby, had to chase a runaway bikini. Bikini Bottom (Bartlett) put up weigh stations of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:25.4.
Binions ducked inside for drive, then edged past a stubborn leader by a half-length in 1:55.1. Bikini Bottom saved second, with 3-4 choice Symphony in Motion (Brent Holland), Elusive Prey (Stephane Bouchard) and Brickyard Trouble (Ray Baynes) grabbing the small change.
For Binions, a five-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight trained by Ron Burke for Newman Racing, she paid $13.20 (fourth choice) for her 10th win in 31 2008 tries. The victress led a $37.40 exacta and $149 triple.
(Yonkers)