Brian Sears walked into Yonkers Raceway and walked out with some holiday spending money, winning Friday night's $36,000 co-featured events
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Native Bride found her way to the altar from third-over, taking the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace going away. Leaving from post position seven, Native Bride watched early as the pole-sitting 3-2 favourite, Ramona Disomma quarter-moved around Hannah Isabel.
After that :28.3 opening two furlongs, Ramona Disomma continued through fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.4. Hally offered mild, first-over resistance as "Ramona" owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. Native Bride, sitting chilly, was just waiting for her marching orders. She exploded through the stretch, widening to fourth lengths at the wire in 1:55.4 – her fastest mile of the season. Style Semalu did get into second as the 30-1 rank outsider, with Ramona Disomma crossing third. However, "Ramona" was placed fourth - behind Hannah Isabel - after bothering that one at the quarter. Hally earned the final pay envelope.
Native Bride, a four-year-old Allamerican Native lass trained by Lou Pena for Sears' father, Jay, and T H Stable, returned $6.10 for her second win in nine seasonal starts.
The weekly trotting feature saw Beach Nut Brand overcome an outside starting venue with a perfect second-over trip.
Macho Lindy was put in play early, working his way around Bet To Win just after a :28.1 opening quarter-mile. Macho Lindy found a :58.3 intermission before Merited Victory - the slight 2-1 choice - moved from fifth. Macho Lindy maintained a slight a slight advantage at the 1:27.4 three-quarters, with Beach Nut Brand second-up and Bet To Win pocketed.
The former was able to get the better of the latter through the lane, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.3. Ripped, Macho Lindy and Merited Victory completed the cashers.
For Beach Nut Brand, a seven-year-old Branded gelding trained by Mark Harder for co-owners Stable 45 & Scott Kurzrok, he returned $12.40 for his 10th win in 36 seasonal starts.
(Yonkers Raceway)