by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — The first of many GSY Series races took place Thursday night (Feb. 16) in the first race at The Meadowlands and the post time favorite didn’t disappoint. Sent off at 1-2 odds on the toteboard, Joe Lee, aboard Karets went to the lead and never looked back.

Leaving out of the five-hole, Lee took his horse to the lead just after the quarter pole to clear to the top and never had an anxious moment. His horse had plenty left in the tank and really did not have challengers for the entire mile.

Lee was geared down the final eighth of a mile and ended up winning by just over two lengths. James Marshall IV, aboard the second choice in the wagering, Extreme Yankee, made his move at the half-mile marker, but could never collar the leader and held on for a game second. A newcomer to the series from Maine, James Dunn, driving Keystone Wallace, got up for the show dough.

The race went in a modest 1:59.2. It was Lee’s first win in as many starts on the year and he drove this 6-year-old horse by American Mike for owner James Cosenza and trainer Carl Tirella.

The next GSY amateur series event takes place on Friday night (Feb. 17) at the Big M where it will debut its first pacing series race with a generous purse of $5,500.

The second leg of the GSY trot series will once again be under the lights next Thursday night (Feb. 23).

Don’t miss exciting harness racing action at the Big M three nights a week during the mild winter season.