Monticello, NY — The GSY Series made its debut at Monticello Raceway in the eighth race on the card on Friday (July 5). Six pacers went to post and after the start, there was no doubt who the winner would be.

That’s because Monica Banca, driving Macherati left from the two-hole and never looked back. It seemed like she was driving a Maserati instead of a horse as she won by more than seven lengths and never had an anxious moment throughout the mile.

When reached for comment, Banca did not have any as she and her horse were still going around the track. Sammy B Happy, with Dave Yarock in the bike, sat second the entire way and was able to hold onto that spot at long odds. Post time favorite, Fox Valley Hermia, with Tyler Miller in the sulky, ended up third.

The mile was timed in 1:56 over the half-mile oval. This 7-year-old gelding by Mach Three is owned and trained by Banca’s partner Rick Dane Jr.

The GSY will be back next week at Monticello on Thursday along with the other two big amateur clubs, the NAADA and Billings (trot races). The first post is slated for 12:55 p.m.