by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — With Friday’s (April 27) showers there were eight trotters that went to the post in the first leg of the GSY Hot To Trot Series at the Big M in the first race.

This compact field saw only two horses vying for the lead as they entered the first turn. That is where John Kokinos, aboard Multitaskr Hanover, found himself on the lead and was able to sustain that until the field hit the top of the stretch. After a modest quarter went up in :28.3, several horses decided to pull early and that is where the trotting action heated up over the good surface.

Danish Durango, with Bob Heckkoff at the helm was able to squeeze out ahead of post time favorite Global Revolution, with Joe Lee in the bike and started the outer flow to move up towards the leaders. In the meantime, David Offenberg, driving Shady McCoy, made a bold three-wide move as they hit the half and as they approached the three-quarter pole, he locked wheels with Lee and both trotters broke as they went into the far turn.

Hot Summer Knight, with Bob Davis in the sulky, was watching all the action from the back of the pack and narrowly missed the two locked horses as he made his three-wide brush towards the front at the top of the stretch. He never had an anxious moment and was in hand as this closer went on to a length victory that was timed in a fast 1:55.2.

Party On The River, with veteran Roy Marohn holding the lines, sat the pocket and was able to get up for second and Danish Durango, with Hechkoff, who went a tough first-over trip for most of the mile, was able to hold on for third.

This 7-year-old gelding is by Justice Hall and is owned by Lynette Buter and trained by Todd Buter.

The second leg of the Hot To Trot series will continue next Friday night at the Big M. The first post is slated for 7:15 p.m.