Slendorn shines in Big M GSY Series

East Rutherford, NJ – With the beginning of the new year and several harness racing tracks still closed, the GSY amateur driver’s series took center stage for one event on Friday night’s (Jan. 6) card at the Meadowlands.

It was the first race on the card and on the season for a lot of familiar faces that have raced previously on the GSY circuit. With a new year, comes new beginnings and changes but not in these races.

A few horses left hard for the lead and Ferdinand A (Courage Under Fire) and driver James Slendorn wasn’t letting anyone get to the top, which meant a long journey on the outside for Scrappin Gold (Roy Marohn).

Slendorn went the first two quarters of the mile in :27.4 and :29.1 but had plenty left in the tank as he cruised to victory by just three-quarters of a length.  Deerfield Beach (Tony Verruso) and In Nevada N (Bruno Chiodo) came from way back to finish second and third, respectively.  The mile was timed in 1:55.

FERDINAND A REPLAY

The 10-year-old gelding is co-owned by Slendorn himself and his trainer Kelvin Harrison both from NJ.

Although it is not customary in the GSY races, the favorite won with the next two public betting choices finishing in reverse order to make for a relatively small $2 exacta ($22.80) and $2 trifecta ($52.60) payouts.

The GSY is scheduled to be back in action next Friday (Jan. 13) at the Meadowlands. Post time is scheduled for 6:20 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Matt Zuccarello, for the GSY Series