East Rutherford, NJ —– As the old adage goes, “Better late than never.” That is how this amateur race played out and it had plenty of action before and during the race, as well as at the finish. Nine trotters went to post for the second leg of the GSY Fall Club Series Friday night (Nov. 9) and as the gate sprung into action for the first time, two horses went off stride and a rare recall took place.

After a delay, all nine trotters left with no incidences and that is where 90-1 longshot from the rail, Mr. Ridgetaker took the lead with Dave Yarock holding the lines. He was able to carry his momentum to the half-mile, when Gianni, with Bob Davis in the sulky, who was parked for the first half-mile stanza took over and opened up his lead at 42-1, as he splashed through the slop and into the top of the stretch.

He almost lit up the tote board at big odds, but that is when the closers came calling and were able to wear him down right before the wire. Shady Mccoy, with a late driver change to Roy Marohn, came from well out of it to win by a half-length over another closer, High Blue, with Monica Banca doing the driving. The mile was timed in 1:57.3 over the sloppy surface.

Marohn paid a generous $8.40 for his backers at the windows for a $2 win bet. This 5-year-old gelding out of S J’s Caviar is owned by fellow amateur David Offenberg’s Allister Stables LLC and is trained by Eric Abbatiello.

This short series has its final next Friday night for a great purse of $15,000. First post is 7:15 p.m.