by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — Under clear skies and 38 degree temperatures, 10 trotters went to post in the first leg of the GSY Spring Fling Series on Friday (March 9).

There were a few horses that left the gate hard to gain control of the lead as the first quarter timer came up and thus created a speed duel up front. Roy Marohn aboard Party On The River had the lead and didn’t let Star Studded Cast, with Anthony Ciuffetelli in the bike, get the lead and left him parked on the outside for the entire mile.

He maintained his lead throughout the entire mile but as they approached the top of the stretch, his trotter altered course inexplicably and he went inside two pylons. He went on to a length-plus victory but after several minutes of replays done by the stewards, he was disqualified from first and placed sixth for leaving the course.

Following right behind the leader was Here Comes Numbers, with Jennifer Lappe in the sulky, who also left the course and was moved from a third place finish to seventh after the disqualification.

When the dust settled, Rob Harmon, driving Hot Summer Knight was placed from second to first, Gold Medal Swan, with Michael Marx Jr. holding the lines, from third to second, and finishing fifth but then placed third were two horses who finished in a dead heat (Ciuffetelli aboard Star Studded Cast and Uriel, with Annie Stoebe driving).The official time of the mile was 1:56.2.

The betting public was treated to a nice win payoff at the windows to the tune of $15.60 for a $2 win wager. This was a wild and interesting race and result to say the least. The winner is a 7-year-old gelding by Justice Hall and is owned by Lynette Buter and trained by Todd Buter.

Next week the second leg of the GSY series continues on Friday night with the first post slated for 6:35 p.m.