The John F. Simpson Memorial stakes, a Grand Circuit event
for two year old pacers and trotters makes a stop at Vernon Downs on the
evening of Friday, November 1.
The freshman trotting colts start the show in races one and three
dubbed the "Super Bowl", with a pair of five horse fields each for a
purse of $13,271. Trainer Chris Ryder has a Muscle Hill contender in each
division and has an ownership position in both.
Well Built has had a consistent if unspectacular campaign and
broke maiden in a Vernon overnight event just last week. Jim
Meittinis is listed to drive the colt on Friday evening for Ryder and partner
Robert Mondillo.
Muscle On In is the more accomplished of Ryder's pair, having won
the Harold Dancer Memorial and NJ Futurity at Freehold this fall. He has earned
more than $60,000 for the partnership of Ryder and Mondillo along with Max
Wernick. Chris will drive this one from post four in the abbreviated field.
Trotting fillies go for $25,716 in race seven, named for the
grand dame Davidia Hanover where Ruby looks like the one to beat. She
is an Explosive Matter filly trained by Erv Miller for Patrick Quaid and James
Bafia who comes to the Simpson off a solid fourth in the Breeders Crown
final. Meittinis catches the drive on her from the advantageous post two.
The "Bret Hanover" (race ten) is comprised of six pacing
colts and geldings racing for $25,341. Beat The Drum is a Tell All colt who's
won a few stakes this summer, including the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga Downs and
took a 1:53- record winning a NJSS leg at The Meadowlands. He's made just
shy of $90,000 for trainer Staffan Lind who owns him in partnership with Bender
Sweden, Inc. Jim Meittinis has the drive on this morning line choice as
well.
The filly pace, christened the "Razzle Hanover", boasts
a competitive field of six with JK Molly and Ideal Helen the most accomplished.
JK Molly was a factor all summer in the NYSS program, earning over
$115,000 and took a fast 1:52.1 mark right here at Vernon in early
September for owners the 3 Brothers Stable. Ron Burke trains and Roman Lopez
has the drive on the Art Major lass.
Ideal Helen has had a successful season in the Garden State with
seven wins and nearly $120,000 earned for owner/breeder D. R. Van Witzenberg.
She counts the Review Stakes, NJ Futurity and Babic Filly Stake among her
conquests while in the care of Erv Miller. Chris Lems will plot her course
from the outside.
