by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s pair of $35,000 co-featured Open Handicaps — for trotters along with petite pacers — were won by Calchip’s Brute (George Brennan, $12.40) and a season-debuting Krispy Apple (Matt Kakaley, $29.20).

Calchip’s Brute was a 1:55.3 winner for George Brennan.

Calchip’s Brute gave nothing else a shot. Leaving from penultimate post position No. 6, he worked around Political Desire (Jim Pantaleano) before a snappy :27.4 opening quarter-mile. After a :58.2 intermission, 8-5 favorite Affirmed Action (Jason Bartlett), who had tucked into a four hole, was on the prowl.

However, he never came close to the leader going toward the 1:27 three-quarters. It was Calchip’s Brute taking a two length lead into the lane, then winning by an unpressured length in a season’s best 1:55.3. Second went to Political Desire, with Sugar Queen Gabby (Brian Sears) a three hole third. Big Sky Storm (Jordan Stratton) and a tiring Affirmed Action rounded out the payees.

For third choice Calchip’s Brute, a 7-year-old homebred son of Credit Winner owned by Diane Giuliano and trained by Trond Smedshammer, it was his third win in seven seasonal starts (career earnings now over $908,000). The exacta paid $77, with the triple returning $318.

The winner — way back when — was third (to Judge Joe) in the 2009 Yonkers Trot as well as a standout New York Sire Stakes performer.

The weekly distaff derby saw Krispy Apple, prepping for the upcoming Blue Chip Matchmaker in her first purse try since late November, roll from third over.

Sean Hamrock photos

Krispy Apple debuted with a 1:53 score in the Mares Open.

Unhurried from post No. 7, she languished early while 7-5 fave Moonlit Dragon (Sears) put up intervals of :27 and :56.1. Queen Of Royalty (Brent Holland) was pocketed, while Doc’s Hop (Cat Manzi), crossing the border, came first-up. That one methodically advanced toward the 1:24.1 three-quarters, with Marie’s Z Tam (Brennan) second over.

Moonlit Dragon owned a 1-1/4 length lead turning for home, but could not close the sale. Marie’s Z Tam went by Moonlit Dragon, but Krispy Apple went by them both, prevailing by a half-length in 1:53. Marie’s Z Tam settled for second, with Moonlit Dragon, Doc’s Hope and Summer Snow (Larry Stalbaum) grabbing the small change.

For fourth choice Krispy Apple, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal co-owned by Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino and trained by PJ Fraley, her career resume is just under $820,000. The exacta paid $115, the triple returned $300.50 and the superfecta paid $1,254.

Friday’s card also included the largest local exacta payoff of the season, The $26,000 seventh race trot had 30-1 Free Rollin’ (Stratton, $62) and 26-1 Master Pine (Pantaleano) combining for a $1,089 payoff.