East Rutherford, NJ – The fifth race on the card this week featured the amateur pacers and 10 horses went to the gate under beautiful skies and great racing weather. This Friday (Sept. 25) night amateur event was different for two reasons, it was later on the card (instead of the normal spot of the first race) and only three horses left for the lead and there wasn’t a speed duel after the quarter.

The main reason was Cheyenne Ryan Lee, with John Calabrese in the sulky, shot to the lead from his outside post 10 and put up a robust quarter and half mile fractions (26.2/54.4). Cheyenne Ryan Lee was able to sustain his lead with a minor challenge after the half by post time favorite, Lear Seelster, with Marianna Monaco holding the lines, but she could only get up to third position as the field turned for home. Calabrese didn’t seem to have any anxious moments until late in the stretch, when all the closers came calling. He was able to hold off all challengers enroute to a half of length victory.

Even after winning last week’s race, the post position scared the betting public, who sent the winner off at generous 4-1 odds. Robert Hechkoff slid up the cones to pick up second, aboard Badix Hanover, and pocket sitter, Scirocco Mistysaid, with Mark Silva as his pilot, rounded out the trifecta. The mile was timed in a fast 1:52.2. The 4-year old gelding is out of Roll with Joe and is trained by Alexandra Goldin and owned by Antoinette Bencivenne.

The GSY Series will have some extra action next week as the weekly pace race will now be joined by an amateur trot race on the card. First post is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.