by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The $500,000 Peter Haughton champion The Lindy Reserve leads 14 freshman trotting colts in the John F. Simpson Memorial Stakes on Friday night (Oct. 8) at Vernon Downs.

Split into two divisions with six betting interests, the Antonaccis have four in to go on Friday. The purse for each division is $15,447.

Frank Antonacci will be driving The Lindy Reserve from post position two in the first of two divisions and his main rival looks to be Surface Tension from the Dan Daley stable, who recently finished third in the NYSS Final on September 25.

Although The Lindy Reserve has banked more than $250,000 in seven starts this season, the son of SJ’s Caviar-Crown N Lindy has had back-to-back miscues in the Kindergarten Final and Breeders Crown elimination.

Ten freshman pacing fillies dropped their names in to go in one division for the $30,594 John F. Simpson Memorial. Given the nod as the 5-2 morning line favorite was Astera Blue Chip from the Linda Toscano stable who was a main force on the NYSS all year long, but drew the eight hole in the final and was never a factor in finishing sixth. Chris Lems has been called upon to drive the Bettor’s Delight-Weeping Wanabe filly that has banked more than $72,000 in 2010.

Vernon Downs kicks off its weekend of racing on Thursday (Oct. 7) and continues through Saturday (Oct. 9) with post times of 6:55 p.m. For more information visit www.vernondowns.com.