East Rutherford, NJ — The first race on the Friday night (Aug. 2) card at The Meadowlands featured 10 pacers going for a purse of $17,000 in the GSY Series final.

As the gate swung open, post-time favorite Macherati stepped out to the lead pretty easily and wasn’t challenged until the half-mile stanza. Monica Banca took control and never looked back as she set sensible fractions throughout the mile. She was able to stave off a first-over challenge from the half-mile pole until the wire, where Bob Hechkoff and Village Jackson ended up second, only a half of length back. Rounding out the trifecta was Fox Valley Hermia, with Tyler Miller holding the lines. The mile went in a brisk 1:52.3.

Macherati, a 7-year-old gelding by Mach Three, is owned and trained by Rick Dane Jr.

The GSY Series will pick up again once the Meadowlands reopens.