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.
