Vernon Downs will play host to its first Grand Circuit stakes of the season as the John Simpson Stakes go postward on Saturday evening
. Three divisions for three-year old colt and gelding trotters and three divisions for three-year old filly trotters have been slated by Race Secretary, Scott Warren.
Leading the way for the ladies is 2010 New York Sire Stakes runner-up, Jezzy from the Ray Schnittker Stable. The daughter of Credit Winner–Ladylind is owned in partnership by Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva, Jeff Gural and Ted Gewertz. Jezzy won ten of eleven starts last year as a freshman and earned $263,138 competing mostly on the New York Sire Stakes circuit. She took her freshman mark at The Meadowlands in a division of the Historic Series races in 1:57.3.
Ray Schnittker will drive Jezzy on Saturday and will start from post position number seven in the third and final division slated for race number nine.
Highlighting the three divisions for the colt and gelding trotters is Dexter Cup Champion, Ice Machine. Charlie Norris ships into Vernon Downs after taking home the lion’s share of the $160,850 purse from the Dexter Cup at Freehold last Saturday. The homebred son of Muscles Yankee-Icy Pleasure is owned by Bob Key of Leechburg, PA and is currently three-for-three in 2011.
Ice Machine and Charlie Norris have been installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite and will start from post position number eight in the third and final division for the boys slated for race number ten on the twelve-race card.
Vernon Downs kicks off its weekend of live racing action on Thursday with a post time of 7:05 pm and continues racing Friday and Saturday night at 7:05 pm.
(Vernon Downs)