Yonkers, NY (My Sportsbook) - Odds-on favorite If I Can Dream pulled away down the stretch to win Saturday's $542,060 Messenger Stakes at Yonkers Raceway. The Messenger is the final jewel in pacing's Triple Crown.

Coupled with Straight Shooting, If I Can Dream paced the mile in 1:52 2/5 to give driver Tim Tetrick his first win of the Messenger Stakes.

If I Can Dream set the pace through the first half-mile at Yonkers. With a second lap to go Clear Vision was sitting to the leader's outside after trailing early in the race.

At the top of the stretch If I Can Dream found another gear and pulled away from the field to post a three-length victory over Clear Vision. The winner's entry-mate Straight Shooting finished third, with Hypnotic Blue Chip getting fourth in the seven-horse field.

By winning the 54th edition of the Messenger, If I Can Dream picked up $271,000. The three-year-old colt has won 11 of 20 starts this year for more than $1.6 million.

If I Can Dream paid $2.30 for the victory. There was no wagering on place and show.

Owned by Bulletproof Enterprises, If I Can Dream was coming off a win in the $600,000 Breeders Crown Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings on October 24 at Woodbine Racetrack. Back in June at Yonkers, the colt won the $421,850 Art Rooney Pace for trainer Tracy Brainard.

In September, If I Can Dream was second to Well Said in the Little Brown Jug, the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Well Said was defeated in last month's Breeders Crown.

Vintage Master won the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Cane Pace at Freehold on Labor Day.