Monticello, NY — For the second consecutive week in upstate New York, it was winter weather with rain, snow, and sun, which led to a sloppy surface at Monticello Raceway for the GSY Series. Eight pacers went to post in the seventh race on the card and drama ensued from the time the gate opened.

Several horses wanted the lead as speed in these amateur races is sometimes pivotal and Monday it was. Christopher Doherty, driving Vaganova, left hard from his rail position and wasn’t relinquishing the lead to anybody. This showed as he went a wicked first quarter in :27.2 and a demanding half in :56.3. Usually this would be the demise in a majority of races (not just amateurs) but somehow he kept his gelding alive and rebuffed all challengers.

He did this after parking Tony Ciuffetelli, behind Surprising Credit, who eventually faded from the scene and finished sixth. GSY President Dave Yarock held his pocket spot along the rail with Sammy B Happy, but was only able to muster a third place finish. Longshot Major Escape closed into second, with Bob Davis holding the lines, but came up a length short. Post time favorite and winner of the first leg I’m A Gift, driven by Matt Zuccarello, closed from a ways back to finish fourth. The mile went in 2:00.1.

The winner, a 7-year-old gelding, is by Rock N Roll Heaven and is owned and trained by Chris’s uncle, Jim Doherty Jr.

The third leg of this winter GSY Series will continue at Monticello next Monday afternoon with the first post slated for 12:25 p.m.