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

Yonkers, NY — If it was any easier for Cheyenne Hollywood in Saturday night’s (July 21) $30,000 Open Pace at Yonkers Raceway, he’d have to get paid twice.

With Tony Morgan taking a seat for trainer Robbie Siegelman, Cheyenne Hollywood — who drew post position five in the field of seven — marched first-up from sixth.

He then went right on by pace-setting Rain Train (Stephane Bouchard) before the three-quarters, then won by 2-1/2 lengths under a death grip in a snappy 1:52 — last quarter in :27.3.

Image Of Dawn (Pat Lachance) was second, his 12th consecutive in-the-money finish, while Rain Train — last week’s Open ‘Cap Pace winner — saved the bottom of the ticket after early fractions of :27.1, :57.1 and 1:24.2. Western Prince (Jack Baggitt, Jr.) and Rair Earth (Jim Pantaleano) rounded out the payees.

For Cheyenne Hollywood, a 5-year-old son of Western Hanover leased by the Cheyenne Gang, it was his sixth win in 19 seasonal starts. He returned $6.90 as the slight second choice (to Rain Train), leading a $39.20 exacta and $103 triple.

‘Cheyenne’s’ 2007 bankroll — already a single-season best — widened to nearly $185,000.

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.