The talented trotters Jezzy and Ice Machine lived up to their top billing in Saturday night’s $143,432 John Simpson Memorial Stakes action at Vernon Downs
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The highly-regarded Jezzy, who never finished worse than second in 11 freshman starts, delivered a career best 1:57.2 victory in Saturday’s $24,670 ninth race of The Elma for three-year-old trotting fillies, while Ice Machine, fresh off a 1:57.3 score in the $160,850 Dexter Cup final at New Jersey’s Freehold Raceway last Saturday, remained unbeaten after four current outings while dropping his speed-mark to 1:55.2 in the $23,474 10th contest, final flight of The Ayres for sophomore male high-steppers.
Jezzy ($2.40), shared in ownership by Jeff Gural, Theodore Gewertz, Jerry Silva and trainer-driver Ray Schnittker, took control of the fifth Simpson division past the half and scurried on to a three-quarter-length triumph in her season’s debut. The gifted daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind now sports a record of 11 wins, one second-place finish and earnings of more than $275,400 after 12 career outings.
Ice Machine ($3.60) also took charge of the sixth and final Simpson set after the half, and then powered on to a one and a quarter length tally for trainer-driver Charlie Norris and owner Robert Key. The homebred son of Muscles Yankee-Icy Pleasure currently owns six wins and earnings of $137,813 following 14 lifetime appearances.
Saturday’s other Simpson divisional winners in the filly flights were Madam Stacey (1:57.2), with trainer Trond Smedshammer steering for owner August Fredrik Miedel, and Some Girls (1:57.2), with part-owner and trainer Gates Brunet driving for the Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal and Jean Brunet partnership.
The other male Simpson clashes were won by Spectator K (1:56.1), with trainer Norris teaming for owner Key, and Charlie De Vie (1:56.1), with trainer Chris Ryder piloting for the Joie De Vie Farm.
On the pacing front, the tough, speedy veteran Stonebridge Wish captured the week’s $10,000 Open-1 contest in 1:50.4 with Jack Rice doing the honours for owner and trainer Tracy Brainard in Saturday’s 11th event.
(Vernon Downs)