East Rutherford, NJ – With 2023 right around the corner, the GSY took center stage for one final time and race on Friday (Dec. 30) at the Big M for 2022.

The race featured everything you could imagine including a parked horse, closed holes, fast fractions, horses coming from every angle in the stretch, a disqualification, and an exciting finish.

It was the second choice Ferdinand A (James Slendorn) who set sail on the lead with a fast first quarter and opening half (:26.4/:55.3). With the post time favorite Takemetothelmit GB (Dein Spriggs) parked on the outside, Slendorn looked like a sure winner turning for home. That’s until the outer flow starting tipping three, four and five wide and the entire complexion of the race was heating up.

It looked like Setoncruisecontrol (Tony Beltrami) had his best shot at beating the longtime leader but he was interfered with and forced off stride by the eventual third place finisher Spectacular Sunset (Jim King Solomon), who was disqualified and placed last.

Sitting behind Beltrami was another longshot, Sunshine’s Finest(William Clark Jr.), who somehow managed to stay on stride and off of Beltrami’s helmet and although in the seven or eight path, had enough momentum to get up in the final stride to catch Slendorn at the wire.

A late Christmas gift was given to all backers of this 31-1 longshot, who paid $65.80 to win. After the DQ, it was the other 31-1 shot that was placed third making for a very nice triple. The mile was timed in 1:53.1.

The 6-year old gelding is co-owned by Clark Jr. and Mary T Cuerbo, both out of NY and is trained by Tom Shay.

The GSY is scheduled to be back in action next Friday (Jan. 6) at the Meadowlands. Post time is scheduled for 6:20 p.m.