East Rutherford, NJ — With perfect spring-like conditions Friday night (March 12) at The Meadowlands, ten amateur drivers went to post in the first race on the card in the GSY Series.

Although there wasn’t a speed duel up front, there certainly was plenty of traffic near the back of the pack with several horses not seeing the wood for the entire mile. Part of the reason for this was the post time favorite, Taste Of History (Tony Beltrami), was on a speed mission on the front, carving out fast fractions of :27.2 and :55.2.

He was able to sustain that lead until the field hit the top of the stretch. That is when pocket sitter Rockinwiththebest (James Foley) pulled off the rail and collared the leader in mid-stretch. That wasn’t for long as Preppy Art (John Calabrese) made a slow grind towards the top two and was able to wear down Foley near the wire for a neck victory. The mile was timed in 1:54.1.

Calabrese stated after the race that, “My horse didn’t see the wood tonight, but I took my time and settled him down on the outside and when I asked him to go he gave me everything he had. I am very lucky to drive good horses and Vincent “Chubby” Stallworth has done a great job having this horse ready week in and week out.”

Indeed he did and the unfortunate thing was that he was claimed out of the race and will be in a new barn for his next race.

Calabrese has been receiving a lot of publicity lately as he was featured in an article on the USTA website earlier this week.

The winner is a 9-year-old gelding and is out of the mare Electric Smile and was sired by Art Colony. He is owned by Chad Lennon and is trained by Vincent Stallworth.

The GSY Series will be set for its sixth and final leg before the final next Friday night.