East Rutherford, NJ – A field of eight trotters went to the gate in the second race on the Thursday night (Dec. 6) card over a chilly Big M surface.  Even though there weren’t many leavers as the gate opened, there was some traffic  trouble in mid-pack as the horses bounded into the first turn.

That is where Jennifer Lappe aboard Fox Valley Steffen found herself on the lead through a modest :28.3 first quarter.  She was quickly challenged before the half-mile by seasoned veteran Robert Krivelin, driving Better Call Saul, who briefly put a nose in front.

They went into the turn neck-and-neck after a :29.1 second quarter (:57:4 half-mile) and stayed that way as they headed into the top of the stretch.

All the while, Joe Lee, aboard Arrakis, sat in the two-hole behind the dueling leaders and when he found clearance along the pylons in deep stretch, he was able to maneuver his trotter up the insider en route to a half-length victory.

Krivelin came on again to finish second and Lappe was moved up from fourth and placed third via disqualification.

The public didn’t have much faith in Lee’s trotter, as he was sent off the longest shot on the board and paid $47.20 for every $2 win bet at the windows.  The mile was timed in 1:56.2 over the cold but fast surface.

The 6-year-old gelding out of Federal Flex is owned by Robert and Donna Burgess of Ontario, Canada and is trained by fellow Canadian trainer Carmen Auciello.

The GSY will be back next week on Thursday night (Dec. 13).  First post is slated for 7:15 p.m.