East Rutherford, NJ – After a major snowstorm hit the Northeast earlier this week, the amateur drivers and pacers were center stage for the first race on Friday (Feb. 5) night’s card.

After a contentious scramble for the lead, last week’s winner, Scirocco Mistysaid (Tony Beltrami), was able to take command, and held that advantage all the way into the deep stretch.

Sent off as the heavy favorite, he had a taxing first quarter in :27.2 but didn’t falter until late.  That is when the pocket sitter and stable mate, Victorias Maverick (James Foley), tipped off the rail to nip the leader by a head.  Rockin Panda (Todd Whitney) picked up the show dough.

The mile went in 1:53.2.  Beltrami was somewhat shocked after the race and couldn’t believe he got beat.  The first quarter took just enough out of him that most likely led to his head defeat.  The 5-year-old gelding is out of the mare Perfect Launch and is sired by Western Maverick.  He is owned by Ronald Rettig-Zucchi of CA and is trained by Williams Hernandez.

The GSY Series will be set for a series that starts Friday (Feb. 12) night at the Meadowlands.  Each leg will go for a purse of $10,000 and the Final will go for $15,000. The first post is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.