After putting together an impressive freshman campaign in which she won six of her 10 starts, Kevin Dixon and Robert Taylor’s talented trotter Miss Vickie picked up right where she left off on Sunday night, as she trotted to a two and three-quarter-length victory in an $18,270 Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Stakes race at Balmoral Park.
Despite drawing the outside post in the field of 10, the striking chestnut daughter of Valley Victor--Willy Nilly made it look easy as driver Brandon Simpson worked out a perfect second-over trip to make her sophomore debut a winning one in 1:57.2.
Kept well off the pace of Tropical Caprice (driven by Dave Magee), as that filly breezed through splits of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:28.4, Simpson worked his way into a live outer flow as the field moved around the final turn.
Charted fourth while second-over along the final turn, the Robert Taylor-trained miss then exhibited her potent closing kick, as she breezed home in :28 flat. Lanes Game (J.D. Finn) turned a pocket-sitting trip into a second-place cheque, while Maple Grove Sarah (Josh Sutton) rallied from far back to finish third.
Miss Vickie, last year’s Lady Lincoln Land and Sarah Myers Stakes winner, was heavily respected at the betting windows despite a five-month layoff, returning just $5.00, $4.00 and $4.00 as she pushed her career earnings up to $129,550.
(With files from Balmoral Park)