East Rutherford, NJ – For the first time in a long time, the Meadowlands featured three amateur races on Friday (June 4) night’s card. The first race featured a field of nine pacers going to post. Several left hard for position on the front end and dueled to the quarter and half mile stanzas. That is when Allgonowhoa took command just after the half and never had an anxious moment afterwards. He was steered confidently by veteran Peter Kleinhans, who made his 2021 amateur debut a winning one. His recent purchase of this gelding paid dividends with him sitting behind him as he paced home to a 1-1/2 length victory in 1:52.4. Mayfield Duke (James Foley) got up for second and Jerrytone (John Calabrese) rounded out the trifecta. This six-year-old gelding is out of the mare Spring Delight, sired by Dragon Again and is owned by Ivy Kariuki out of New Jersey.

The third race on the card featured ten trotters going to post. As was the case in the first amateur event, several left for position to be on or near the lead. After the top two flipped positions going to the quarter and half, things settled down. Cartier Zette (Ronald Cusimano) held the lead as the field turned for home. He was challenged by a bold rush from longshot Fiji (David Offenberg), but as he was clearing to the lead, he drifted to the six or seven path around the turn. That left a huge opening for pocket sitter Life Well Lived (James Foley) to pull out and to the lead enroute to a convincing 4-1/2 length victory. Cusimano held on for second and Offenberg closed again to round out the trifecta. The seven-year-old gelding is out of the mare Life Class and is out of the sire Muscle Mass. He is owned by Fox Racing Inc. out of New York and trained by Carmen Auciello.

The fifth race on the card featured a field of nine pacers going to post and when the gate opened, the customary speed duel ensued. This week featured five vying for the early lead and they all paid the price. Longshots Stop Action (Miguel Alejo-Hernandez) and Make America Great (Bob Davis) went neck and neck to the quarter and half mile pole in red hot fractions of :26.3 and :53.2. As the field approached the far turn, all the closers came knocking and the two patient drivers, sat down on the inside and when the leaders tired, they scooted up the inside to take the lead and second place. A Bettor Beach (Roy Marohn) stayed on the inside and cruised home to an easy victory and hit the finish line in 1:51.3. Whatstroublnurocky(John Calabrese) finished second and Northern Rock (Juan Cano) picked up the show dough. The five-year old-gelding is out of the mare Norinoro Hanover and is sired by Bettor’s Delight. He is owned by Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC out of West Bloomfield, Michigan and is trained by Travis Alexander.

All three amateur races with the Pick-5 included topped $600,000 wagered on by the betting public.

The amateur pacers and trotters in the GSY will be in the spotlight again next Friday (June 11) night at the Big M. Post time is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.