East Rutherford, NJ — The GSY Series kicked off on Friday (Jan. 8) at the Meadowlands, with a pair of pacing events. Although a brisk night for racing, both events featured full fields and exciting racing.

In the second race, several horses left hard to get to the top before the quarter pole for the first of many times this year. After some jostling for position, Watchmeneighneigh (Tony Beltrami) found himself in the lead through a quarter of :28.2, but the lead was short-lived that.

He was overtaken before the half by Father Sarducci (James Slendorn). He maintained that lead as the field entered the stretch, but a fast first half in these conditions set it up for the closers to come calling. That is what unfolded as Rockabilly Charm(Nicole Dicostanzo) came from ninth to get up by a head victory for her first win at the Big M in her young amateur career.

Pirates Alley (Anthony Verruso) finished second, and Midnight Lightning (Jonathan Ahle) finished third. The mile was times in 1:55.4. She paid a generous $20 to win for every $2 wagered and was delighted to stand in the winners’ circle for the first time. The 7-year old gelding is owned and trained by Victoria D’Alessandro out of NJ.

In the fourth race on the card, only two left hard for the lead, and after a quarter move by Cecil Casanova (Mark Silva), he took command, and Galactic Galleon N(Jonathan Ahle) sat the picket in second. These two remained that way as the field entered the stretch with Ideal Flip(Robert Hechkoff) on the outside, trying to close in on the top two.

When they hit the wire, Ahle got up to a neck victory over Notabadgame(Anthony Verruso), a bridesmaid for the second straight race of the evening, and Elysium Seelster(Benson Merrill) who got up for the show dough. It was another double-digit payout for the winner who paid $26 to win for every $2 wagered. The mile was timed in 1:55.1. The 13-year old gelding is owned by Shaun Vallee of NJ and trained by Ahle himself.

The amateur drivers and pacers will be back at it again next Friday night at the Big M, with the first post scheduled for 6:20 p.m.