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

YONKERS, NY — Rain Train, plagiarizing himself, used the same MO as a week ago. Why not? It worked.

He raced first-up for the second consecutive week, winning Saturday night’s $30,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

With leading driver Jason Bartlett (five winners on the 10-race card) chauffeuring for co-owner/trainer Robert Sumner, Rain Train–sent with good wishes as the 2-1 favorite–was unhurried from post position 4.

Pole-sitting Secluded Island (Jim Meittinis) stuffed Our Galvinator A (Steve Smith) in behind before a 27.4 opening quarter-mile, Mr. P B N (Eric Abbatiello) settled third, with Rain Train next. Secluded Island led through a 56.4 intermission, but his time in the big chair was about to expire.

Rain Train, taking out of fourth, went up, after and over Secluded Island, passing the 1:24.1 three-quarters. He owned a length lead entering the lane before widening to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:52.2, matching his life-best. King Cat Anvil N (Jordan Stratton) did get into second, with Secluded Island, Mr. P B N and Our Galvinator A completing the cashers.

Rain Train, a 5-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy gelding also co-owned by Gary Paganelli, returned $6.10 for his third win in seven seasonal starts.