by Matt Zuccarello, GSY Series reporter

East Rutherford, NJ — The first race on the card Friday night (April 13) at the Meadowlands featured 10 trotters going to post under perfect conditions.

With the temperature hitting 74 degrees on the thermostat, the action on the track heated up from the start with several horses vying for the lead into the first turn. As the dust settled, Robert Hechkoff found himself in charge after the first quarter stanza aboard Danish Durango and would not let anyone else control the top.

That is where Secret Universe found out the hard way, with Tony Ciuffetelli holding the lines, as he was parked out for the entire mile by Hechkoff. Sitting behind the outside horse was post time favorite Gold Medal Swan, with Mark Silva in the sulky. Although parked on the outside as well, his cover was able to inch up into second before Silva made his backside brush towards the front. He maintained that momentum to the tune of a two-length victory.

Fox Valley Steffen, who sat behind the pylon leader for most of the race, was able to secure second by less than a head. Party On The River, with Roy Marohn in the bike, skimmed the cones to get up for third in a photo finish. The mile for this sixth leg of the series was timed in 1:55 flat.

The 5-year-old gelding by Swan For All is owned, trained and reigned by Silva himself. It was his second consecutive victory of the season and series for this seasoned veteran.

The final of the Spring Fling GSY Series will take place next Friday night at the Meadowlands and will go for a generous purse of $12,500. First post is slated for 7:15 p.m.