by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series Reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — The first GSY race on the card featured eight trotters that went to post in the Open Division for an $8,500 purse on Friday (Sept. 8) at the Meadowlands.

SJ Better Days went for the lead with driver Bob Hechkoff holding the lines. He was in his customary position on the front end and held the lead until the half-mile stanza. There was a lot of action after the half with several horses pulling to challenge the leader. All the while Joe Lee, aboard Soul Train. made his move three-wide around the far turn after the three-quarter pole.

He sat patiently back in the pack in seventh place and fifth-over before sweeping to lead in mid-stretch, en route to a four-length victory. The mile was timed in a fast 1:54.3 with the last quarter in :27.3

Tropical Storm Bi, with Tony Ciuffetelli in the bike got up for second over post time favorite Danish Durango with John Calabrese in the sulky.

This 6-year-old gelding is by Trainforthefuture and is under the ownership of Blindswitch Racing Stable, Good Friends Racing Stable and Santo Farina. He is trained by Al Annunziata.

The inaugural GSY Senior Division had ten trotters go to post for a purse of $7,500. Leaving the gate hard from post position seven was Celebrity Stimulus with David Glasser in the bike. He was challenged and quarter-moved by Hechkoff, who was driving the post time favorite and eventual race winner in War Cry Hall.

He was on the engine the rest of the mile as he held off a late charging Don Dorado, with Mitchell “Kelly” Walker holding the lines, for a half-length victory. Getting up for third was Tony Beltrami, driving Cypress Point. This event was timed in 1:55.2.

The 8-year-old gelding is by Cash Hall and is owned by R.B.H. Ventures Inc. He is trained by Michael Russo.

Next week, the GSY Series moves to a new venue on Saturday to Freehold as the CKG Billings Amateur Series takes center stage at the Big M on Friday night. First post is 7:15pm.