Monticello, NY — Six pacers went to post in the eighth race on Thursday’s (July 25) card at Monticello in the GSY Series fourth and final leg.

GSY president Dave Yarock, driving Sammy B Happy from the rail, went for the lead and would not relinquish or allow anyone to take control. That is where Carters Caper, driven by rookie Marianna Monaco, found herself parked on the outside for the entire mile as Yarock wanted to control the pace.

He did that until the deep stretch but was unable to hold off Awesum Ace, driven by Rob Harmon, who prevailed with a length victory in 1:58.2. He drove a patient race, letting horses pull two- and three-wide as he sat a third-over trip, then dove back down to the pylons and in the stretch used the passing lane to his advantage en route to another victory as he did in the previous week.

He paid a generous $9.70 to all his backers for a $2 win bet. The 5-year-old gelding by United Ace is owned by Adam Friedland and trained by Daniel Gill.

Sammy B Happy finished second while Roy Marohn, driving Always As Fast, finished third. The huge 1-5 favorite, CC Big Boy Sam, never fired and finished a well beaten fifth.

All of these drivers and horses qualify for the final to be held at The Meadowlands next Friday night (Aug. 2) for a purse of $17,000. First post is slated for 7:15 p.m.