Monticello, NY — The GSY Series took center stage Monday (Jan. 13) at Monticello Raceway, and Chris Doherty came out on top with Vaganova prevailing by a head in 1:59.2.

Eight pacers went to post and as the gate opened, a speed duel ensued.  Dave Yarock left hard with Sammy B Happy and was not going to let anyone get to the top.  Rob Harmon, sitting behind Forever Worth It, closed the hole and forced Vaganova, with Chris Doherty in the sulky, to take back and sit third. 

They stayed this way through a fast quarter and half-mile fractions of 28.0 and 57.2.  The post-time favorite, Major Escape, with Bob Davis holding the lines, pulled first over at the half but was rebuffed by Yarock.  He could finish no better than fourth.  As the field entered the stretch, Yarock still held the lead but was collared by his two rivals in the deep stretch, sitting behind him and ended up finishing third. 

A patient Doherty went inside the passing lane to get up right near the wire by a head over Harmon, who ended up second.  The mile was timed in 1:59.2 over the fast Monticello surface.  The 7-year-old gelding is out of Rock N Roll Heaven is owned and trained by Chris’s uncle, Jim Doherty Jr.                                                         

The fourth leg of this winter GSY Series will continue at Monticello on Monday, January 27 and the first post is scheduled for 12:25 p.m.