by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — Favored If I Can Dream put forth a soft half and put away a hard challenge, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $542,060 Messenger Stakes Saturday night in dominating fashion.

Tim Tetrick drove the 3-year-old homebred son of Western Hanover in the 54th edition of this race, final jewel of the Pacing Triple Crown.

Leaving from post position No. 3, If I Can Dream stepped around Hypnotic Blue Chip (John Campbell), grabbing the baton just after a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. He then rated a 57-second intermission before a visitor paid a call.

Clear Vision (Dave Miller) pulled from fourth, prompting the pace to the tune of a :27.2 third quarter. As the five other entrants were being outpaced, the leader eventually showed the pursuer the back of his hoof.

If I Can Dream owned a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane before widening to three lengths at the wire in 1:52.2. Straight Shooting (Yannick Gingras), joined at the wagering waist with the winner, was third. Hypnotic Blue Chip and Doubleshotascotch (Jim Morrull Jr.) completed the cashers, with Hail Storm (Jordan Stratton) and Fireintheshark (Jason Bartlett) having to settle for the joy of the chase.

If I Can Dream, the primary portion of the pari-mutuel entry, returned $2.30 for his 11th win in 20 seasonal starts. There was no place or show wagering. If I Can Dream’s 2009 bankroll increased to $1,631,129 (second to Well Said among pacers) for owner Bulletproof Enterprises and trainer Tracy Brainard.

Among his other resume highlights was the $600,000 Breeders Crown at Woodbine two weeks ago and the $421,850 Art Rooney Pace here in mid-June.
“He’s just been very sharp all season,” Tetrick said. “I was helped out tonight by some soft early fractions, but when I asked him to dig in, he did.”

Driver Miller was bridesmaid in this event for a second consecutive season, having battled Harness Horse of the Year Somebeachsomewhere with Shadow Play in the epic ’08 edition.

Saturday night’s companion event, the $364,430 Lady Maud Pace, was won by the 3-year-old filly Shanghai Lil. That one left hard from gate, forcing 1-5 favorite Yellow Diamond (Jim Morrill Jr.) three-wide early.

Shanghai Lil, a 5-1 proposition driven by Mike Lachance, sat on that one’s back before winning by a nose in 1:53.3. The time was a Yonkers Raceway stakes record for this event. Perfectionsist (Dan Dube) was third, beaten five lengths.

The winner, a daughter of Jenna’s Beach Boy trained by Peter Foley, returned $12.60 (second choice) for her fifth win in 20 ’09 tries. Shanghai Lil’s seasonal earnings are now approaching a half-million dollars for All Star Racing.

“I figured I couldn’t come first-up and beat the filly (Yellow Diamond), ” Lachance said. “I drew inside of her (posts 3 and 4, respectively), and I wanted to use it to my advantage.

“I don’t know if it’s the cooler weather, but she’s as good now as she’s been all season,” Lachance said.