Lee, Masterson fly in GSY

Harness racing driver Joseph “Yankee Joe” Lee and Masterson circled the field with a late surge in the Spring GSY Amateur Series feature at Monticello Raceway on Thursday.

Lee surrendered early position from post five and dropped Masterson, the 1/9 favourite, to sixth as the field of seven headed for the first turn. Lee sat on the rail through splits of :29 and :59.4 and was shuffled to last as the group completed the first half.

Masterson found a way out as they approached three-quarters in 1:29.3 and swung three-wide to avoid a stalling Redneck Fortune (McKenzie Sowers) and pass Cashncam (Tony Beltrami). Masterson unfurled his metaphorical wings as they entered the stretch and roared past longtime leader Sammy B Happy (David Yarock) to win by two and a half lengths in 1:59.

Sammy B Happy and Yarock, one of the GSY Series’ founders, finished second. Cashncam continued his outside push to take show. The winner returned $2.30.

Masterson is a nine-year-old Bettors Delight gelding that has won 35 of his 168 career outings. He surpassed $350,000 in earnings with the Thursday victory. Thomas Milici of Montgomery owns and trains.

Lee, nicknamed “Yankee Joe” due to his dayjob as the assistant equipment manager for the New York Yankees, has 65 career victories from 513 starts. He is three-for-11 in GSY Series starts this season.

Monticello Raceway breaks until Monday, May 17, when it will return at 12:10 p.m. EDT for a nine-race card.

For full race results, click here.