East Rutherford, NJ – After a brief shower earlier in the day, the track condition was fast and the temperature was in the low 50s for Friday night’s (April 10) card at the Big M.  The seventh race featured the amateur drivers and pacers with a full field of 10 going to post.

After an early battle for the lead and some movement before the half, Preppy Art (Bob Hechkoff) took control at the half mile stanza and never looked back.  He was able to open up 6-1/2 lengths on the field as the pacers turned for home and never had an anxious moment enroute to a 4-3/4 length victory.

The outer flow was in early development throughout the mile, but the closers could only muster up a second- and third-place finishes.  Those went to Cashncam (James Foley) and Watchmeneighneigh (Tony Beltrami), who finished second and third, respectively.

The mile went in a fast 1:53.2.  The nine-year old gelding is out of the mare Electric Smile and was sired by Art Colony.  He is owned by R.B.H. Ventures Inc. and Spagnola Racing LLC and is trained by Kyle Spagnola out of NY.

The GSY Amateurs return on the card next Friday night (April 16) for a $10-$12,500 claiming handicap race with a $11,500 purse.  The first post is scheduled at 6:20 p.m.