by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter
East Rutherford, NJ — The first Friday night card in May at the Meadowlands featured the second leg in the Hot To Trot Series for amateur drivers and a familiar horse found himself back in the winner’s circle for his second consecutive week.
The only twist this week was his winning driver was different from last week. Rob Harmon, back in the bike aboard Hot Summer Knight let the speeders do their thing up front as he got away last in the field of eight. As is customary in a majority of amateur races, several horses vied for the lead and when newcomer to the club David Hoover tried to get a hole and then get to the top, driving It’s Chocolate Time, he found out the hard way that Robert “Take No Prisoners” Hechkoff, aboard Danish Durango, would not give up the top spot and parked the trainer/driver for the entire first three-quarters of a mile.
This led to his demise as well, although he hung on for a game second under some heavy whip urging throughout the entire stretch run. Harmon was on the outer rim for most of the mile but with cover, and he made a three-wide blitz down the backside only to clear to the top in mid-stretch. He was able to stave off Danish Durango by a long neck in a fast 1:55.2 mile. Getting up for third was another closer and longshot, Multitaskr Hanover, driven by Jennifer Lappe.
Hot Summer Knight is a 7-year-old gelding by Justice Hall and is owned by Lynette Buter and trained by Todd Buter.
The third 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.