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

Yonkers, NY — He doesn’t miss many starts, doesn’t miss many paydays, and, given half a chance, doesn’t miss the chance to get his picture taken.

Cheyenne Hollywood went the distance in Saturday night’s (September 22) $30,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway, and, in the process, went over $400,000 in career earnings. Not bad, considering the 5-year-old went unraced as a 2-year-old.

With Tony Morgan steering the steed for trainer Robbie Siegelman, Cheyenne Hollywood — grinning on the gate from post position four — sashayed around Forest Vic A (Steve Smith) before a spirited :26.3 opening quarter-mile.

Rare Jewel (Pat Lachance), the 7-5 favorite leaving right outside “Cheyenne,” found no lead and no holes and was forced to finagle into a four-hole behind Pocket Driver N (Greg Grismore). All the while, Cheyenne Hollywood was able to rate a :29.3 second quarter before the aforementioned Pocket Driver N took out of third.

The leader remained the leader through a 1:24.3 three-quarters, taking a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane. Cheyenne Hollywood then held Forest Vic A at bay, winning by a length in 1:53.1. Armbro Cayenne (Pat Berry) found late room and grabbed the bottom of the ticket, with Rare Jewel — in his first stateside start of the season — and Rain Train (Jeff Gregory) getting something for their efforts. Slickest Hanover (Stephane Bouchard) and Pocket Driver N were (hopefully) enriched by the experience, while Mr P B N came up ill from his scheduled eight-hole appearance.

“I didn’t think he was going to be a good half-miler, because he’s such a big horse,” Siegelman said of his Hollywood heavyweight. “You can grab him a bit (on the smaller tracks), and he really likes this surface.”

For Cheyenne Hollywood, a son of Western Hanover leased by the Cheyenne Gang, it was his seventh victory (and 23rd pay envelope) in 26 seasonal starts. He returned $6.90 (second choice), leading a $42.80 exacta and $334 triple.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week — Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasting is available seven days a week, while Empire City’s nearly 5,500 video gaming machines are in play daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.