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

YONKERS, NY – After Image of Dawn was given the inside assignment, he gave his rivals the business in Saturday night’s $30,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

With owner/trainer/driver Pat Lachance letting just one foe, Cheyenne Hollywood (Jack Baggitt Jr.), go before retaking, Image of Dawn eliminated any suspense early.

He strolled through weigh stations of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.2, taking a length-and-a-quarter lead into the lane. Image of Dawn easily held “Hollywood” at bay, winning by two lengths in a season’s-best 1:52. Mister Mystic N (Stephane Bouchard) was a ground-saving third, with King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) and the dead-heat duo of Mizuno (Greg Grismore)/Rain Train (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) carving up the remains.

For Image of Dawn, an 8-year-old son of Life Sign, it was his ninth win in 35 seasonal starts ($201,710).