by Matt Zuccarello, for GSY Series

East Rutherford, NJ — A field of six trotters went to post Friday night (Nov. 11) at the Big M to kick off the first leg of the fall GSY Series. The race was led by front-end runner, Keystone Thomas and Robert Hechkoff for most of the mile event.

Unchallenged until the top of the stretch, Hechkoff rebuffed the challenge of Avivas Winner, with hot hands Anthony Ciuffetelli at the helm. This is when Woody, with Joe Lee in the sulky, made a three-wide move midstretch to take the lead near the wire and beat Keystone Thomas by a long neck. The race was timed in a tepid 1:59.4.

Woody is owned by Woody Hoblitzell and trained by Al Annunziata.

Next Friday (Nov. 18) will be the second leg of the series at the Big M. Post time is 7:15 p.m.