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Sunday, August 24, 2014

FRANKIE’S DRAGON WINS SATURDAY 44G OPEN HANDICAP PACE

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, August 23, 2014— Even-money favorite Frankie's Dragon (Brian Sears, $4) went from first-up to first home Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace. 

Assigned inside his seven rivals, Frankie's Dragon had plenty to peruse early as Dream Out Loud N (Eric Goodell), Rock on Moe (Larry Stalbaum) and Sapphire City (Dan Dube) all has designs on the lead.

Dream Out Loud N won that early battle, paying :26.4 opening quarter-mile price for the privilege. Sapphire City, three-holed from post position No. 8, took a shot with a second move, but Dream Out Loud N was not in a giving mood and sent Sapphire City back from whence he came.  

After a 55-second intermission, Frankie's Dragon was out from fourth, methodically moving at the leader toward a 1:23 three-quarters. Russley Rascal N (George Brennan) tried it from second-over as Dream Out Loud N and Frankie's Dragon was nostril to nostril into the lane.

Frankie's Dragon did eventually wear down his foe, winning by a half-length in 1:51.1. Big N Bad (Jordan Stratton) closed stoutly for third, with Russley Rascal N and Rock on Moe settling for the minor moolah.      

For "Frankie," a 5-year-old son of Dragon Again trained by Tony O'Sullivan for owner Joe Martinelli Sr., it was his fifth win in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $21, with the triple returning $146.

The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.