East Rutherford, NJ — Under unseasonably warm mid-March weather, the first of six legs of the GSY Spring Series went Friday night (March 15) at the Meadowlands.

With two races on the card going for $11,000 each, the first and third races featured amateur drivers from several states competing in this pacing series.

In the first race, John Calabrese aboard On Cruise Control literally cruised to an early lead and never looked back. After putting up sensible fractions in the first two stanzas of the race (:28.1/:58.1), Calabrese picked up the pace the second half of the race and coasted to a two length victory. The back half of the race was an impressive :55.2 with all nine horses coming home the last quarter in :28 or better, which is rare in these amateur events.

On Cruise Control paced the mile in 1:53.3. His backers at the windows collected a handsome $14.60 for every $2 bet wagered. Longshot Steuben Magic Ride, driven by Philip Bo Sowers, rounded out a nice exacta by getting up for second. Rockinwiththebest rounded out the trifecta, with Robert Hechkoff holding the lines.

The winner is a 5-year-old gelding by Yankee Cruiser and is owned by Susan Woodyatt and is trained by Cory Stratton.

In the second division and third race on the card, ten pacers went to post and that is when Velocity Sub Z, driven by Benson Merrill, rocketed to the lead in a superb first quarter in :26.2. He stayed on the engine and went to the half in an eye popping :54.3 for these optional $12,500 claimers/condition horses. He was able to sustain that lead until mid-stretch but only one horse, who came from last to first, was able to collar him near the wire.

That horse was post time favorite So Take That, driven by Tony “The Judge” Beltrami. He paced the mile in the same time as the first race, 1:53.3. Merrill held on for second and longshot May I Cruise West, with Mark Schullstrom in the sulky, came from way back to get the show dough.

So Take That is a 10-year-old gelding by Camluck, owned by Spencer Goldin and trained by Alexandra Goldin.