Monticello, NY — A special amateur race was held over the Monticello oval in the second race on the card Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 30), in below freezing temperatures. Horses that hadn’t won a race in 2020 were eligible and the field was scratched down to six.

GSY club President Dave Yarock sent his gelding Sammy B Happy to the lead from his outside post and never looked back. He was able to carve out sensible fractions and had no challengers up front until late in the stretch run. What looked to be clear sailing turned into some anxious deep stretch drama as post time favorite Ideal Rowan (Joe Lee) made up some three lengths down the lane to lose by just under a length. Ohoka Texas N (Tony Beltrami) rounded out the trifecta.

Yarock, via phone after the race, stated, “It was the first win of the year for both horse and driver.”

He couldn’t have written the script any better to close out a most memorable and difficult year. The mile was timed in 2:03. The 6-year-old gelding is out of Yarock’s late mare, Shania Twain, and was sired by American Ideal. Yarock also owns this horse who is trained by Dawn Devaux.

The GSY Series will be set for next Friday night (Jan. 8) back at The Meadowlands to kick off the 2021 season. The first post is scheduled for 6 p.m.