Even-money favourite Frankies Dragon (Brian Sears, $4) went from first-up to first home Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $44,000 Open Handicap Pace.
Assigned inside his seven rivals, Frankies Dragon had plenty to peruse early as Dream Out Loud N (Eric Goodell), Rock On Moe (Larry Stalbaum) and Sapphire City (Dan Dube) all had designs on the lead.
Dream Out Loud N won that early battle, paying :26.4 opening quarter-mile price for the privilege. Sapphire City, three-holed from post position No. 8, took a shot with a second move, but Dream Out Loud N was not in a giving mood and sent Sapphire City back from whence he came.
After a :55-second intermission, Frankies Dragon was out from fourth, methodically moving at the leader toward a 1:23 three-quarters. Russley Rascal N (George Brennan) tried it from second-over as Dream Out Loud N and Frankies Dragon was nostril to nostril into the lane.
Frankies Dragon did eventually wear down his foe, winning by a half-length in 1:51.1. Big N Bad (Jordan Stratton) closed stoutly for third, with Russley Rascal N and Rock On Moe settling for the minor moolah.
For "Frankie," a five-year-old son of Dragon Again trained by Tony O'Sullivan for owner Joe Martinelli Sr., it was his fifth win in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $21, with the triple returning $146.
(Yonkers Raceway)