by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY – When last we saw Cheyenne Hollywood, he was earning a perfect attendance award in the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series….starts in all six preliminary legs led to qualifying for the $475,000 final in mid-May.

After winding up fifth in the Levy finale, Cheyenne Hollywood earned a month off for good behavior. After a across the bridge qualifier, he returned to the wampum wars for Saturday night’s $35,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway…where he obviously ready for his close up.

With Tim Tetrick (four winners in just six drives on the 10-race card) doing the honors from post position No. 7 for trainer Robbie Siegelman, the 5-year-old son of Western Hanover sat chilly early.

Good thing, as pole-sitting Secluded Island (Jim Meittinis) stung both Dream Rocket (Tony Morgan) and 7-5 favorite Pacific Renegade (Stephane Bouchard) early. Dream Rocket made the lead just outside the :26.4 opening quarter-mile before yielding–ever so briefly–to Pacific Renegade.

Dream Rocket was out and moving to retake the reins coming toward the :55.4 half, but there were no breathers to be had here. Millionaire Rair Earth (Jim Pantaleano) rolled up from fourth, with Cheyenne Hollywood towed right along.

Dream Rocket was about to call it a night passing the 1:24.4 three-quarters as Rair Earth went up and over. All the while, Cheyenne Hollywood appreciated the lift, as he followed his escort into the stretch. Rair Earth had a tenuous lead entering the lane, and despite fighting the good fight, he was about to be done in by the better trip.

Cheyenne Hollywood edged by in deep stretch, earning a three-quarter-length decision in 1:52.3. Tenant In Chief (Shaun Vallee) was able to get into third, with Pacific Renege and Secluded Island earning the final Yonkers Racing Corp. pay envelopes.

“You couldn’t ask for a better trip, ” Tetrick said. “Usually, when you get horse off a layoff, you just look to braven him back up, but I talked to (Robbie) and he said I could race him.

“I really thought I’d go by the other horse (Rair Earth) much easier, but he dug in,” Tetrick said. “Mine just had the better trip, and he knows what to do.”

Cheyenne Hollywood, leased by the Cheyenne Gang, returned $13.20 for his fifth win in 16 seasonal starts. His jaunt past $350,000 in career cash led an $80 exacta, $1,120 triple and $3,764 superfecta (first three finishers and ALL).