SARATOGA SPRINGS — Trainer Tom Bush enjoyed a breakthrough summer at Saratoga Race Course last year, tying with some of New York’s biggest names for the third-most wins at the meet.

This year, things haven’t clicked quite as well for the 57-year-old Bush, who entered Sunday’s card without a victory.

It turned out to be worth the wait. Banrock sat close to the pace and drew off in the stretch to win the $111,000 West Point Handicap by two lengths.

The victory snapped an 0-for-17 streak at the meet for Bush, who had hit the board with only one starter, finishing third. He was 9-for-47 in 2007, winning the John Morrissey with Gold and Roses.

“This really helped,” Bush said. “It’s been horribly frustrating. When I came, I thought I had the right spots and I had some horses that fit in the spots that I was looking at, and I was wrong in a number of cases.

“The weather’s hurt me a few times, but, hey, you just have to keep doing what you’re doing and don’t try to change things up too much, and it’ll come back.”

The weather worked in Bush’s favor in the West Point, when a thunderstorm swept over the track following the second race, softening up the Mellon Turf Course.

Second choice in a field of eight at 5-2, Banrock ($7.80) relished the soft going, running 11⁄8 miles in 1:51.41. Defending West Point winner Classic Pack came flying late to outrun fellow long shot My Man Lars for second by a nose.

Al Basha, the 2-1 favorite making his second start of the year, finished fifth, beaten just over six lengths.

“I thought the soft ground might help us,” Bush said. “Al Basha was going to have to run a real good race on the soft to beat him, and we caught him at the right time.

“He’s got those big feet and short legs and long back, and he just plows through that soft ground, no problem.”

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, who won the Grade I Beverly D. at Arlington Park with Mauralakana on Saturday, returned to give Banrock a perfect ride.

“I was able to get close to the front effortlessly, and when we turned for home, he was full of run,” he said. “This horse has gotten really good. Tom has done a great job with him.”

“Kent, in his usual way, he was smart and kept him close enough and kept him in the clear,” Bush said. “When you’re riding one like that, that’s the way to ride him.”

YADDO UPSET

Latitude Forty collared tiring pacesetter Factual Contender and held off a late surge from You Go West Girl to win the $107,500 Yaddo Handicap.

Originally carded for Saturday, the Yaddo was pushed back when only five horses were entered. Sunday’s race would up with five, as well, when Chestoria, the lone newcomer to the field, was scratched by trainer Billy Badgett.

Winner of four of her last five starts, 3-2 favorite Rewrite struggled carrying topweight of 122 pounds on the yielding turf and wound up third, beaten 21⁄4 lengths.

Trained by John Hertler for Dee Zee Stable, Latitude Forty ($10) was the fourth choice at 4-1. It marked his first victory since taking last year’s Yaddo at odds of 23-1.

“She likes Saratoga,” Hertler said. “She has been coming around, and she’s been in good shape. I was hoping the finish line would come quick enough.”