East Rutherford, NJ — The first leg of the GSY Club Fall Series took place under an unseasonably warm 67 degree temperature for early November in northern New Jersey.

Nine trotters went to post on Friday (Nov. 2) at The Meadowlands and after two early breakers, the other seven trotters found their positions as the first quarter came calling. That is where Monica Banca, driving High Blue, held the lead but paid the price after going a fast :27.1 first quarter.

But she maintained her lead until the top of the stretch. That is when the closers came calling as well as pocket sitter, Fox Valley Steffen. Driven by Jennifer Lappe, Fox Valley Steffen came up the rail and was able to hold off a hard charging Hot Summer Knight, driven by trainer Rob Harmon. In deep stretch it seemed that Harmon went by but was rebuffed by Lappe’s game trotter on the inside. Danish Durango, with Robert Hechkoff in the sulky, got the show dough. The mile was timed in 1:56.1.

The winner’s backers at the window collected a generous $17.80 for every $2 win bet.

Lappe continues to have a solid amateur season as she collected another win at the Big M. This 9-year-old gelding by International Chip is owned, reined and trained by Lappe.

This short series has its second leg before the final next Friday night for a nice purse of $8,000. First post is 7:15 p.m.