by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Brandon Simpson reined two winners in the New York Sire Stakes Late Closers for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Monticello Raceway on Tuesday afternoon, September 7, but the fastest split was captured by Haze’s Zure Bet when Chris Lems reined the daughter of Bettor’s Delight to a 1:58.4 triumph.

Geri Schwarz photo

Brandon Simpson hustled Eagle Yankee to a 2:00.1 triumph.

Simpson scored a 2:00.1 victory with the Mark Ford owned and trained Eagle Yankee when he bided his time after some fast early fractions and then rallied the Art Major filly to a three length triumph over Winspirational and driver Jason Bartlett. Dismissed in the wagering Eagle Yankee paid $42.60 for win.

Simpson’s other triumph came behind Winbak Farms and Rebecca Williams’ Wizzard Queen in 1:59.4 clocking. In that one, the daughter of Riverboat King departed from the eight hole and Simpson used a first over trip to run away and hide from his competition as Wizzard Queen romped to a five length triumph over Lisjune Ann and Zeke Parker.

As mentioned earlier, the fastest of the $13,300 splits was copped by Purple Haze Stables’ Haze’s Zure Bet when Chris Lems wheeled her three-deep on the final turn and the Bettor’s Delight filly breezed to a solid one length victory in 1:58.4 over Throwdown and driver Jason Bartlett.

The good looking American Ideal filly Forty Three, a pupil of trainer Adam Capizzano, scored her sixth victory in eight lifetime starts when Jimmy Whittemore guided her to an easy 1:59, wire-to-wire triumph over Block Party and Jordan Stratton in yet another $13,300 division. Forty Three is the property of Indigo Racing LLC.

Local teamster Bruce Aldrich, Jr. got in the win column when he guided Michael Funke’s The Filly Princess, a daughter of Bettor’s Delight, to a 1:59, four length victory over Handleyourscandal, thus denying driver Brandon Simpson three NYSS Late Closers wins.

After chasing home the winners in many of the previous Late Closer contests, Jason Bartlett earned a trip to the winner’s circle after he reined JK Geronimo to a gate-to-wire triumph over Kyrah Can and Zeke Parker in a time of 2:00.1 in the final NYSS Late Closer division. The 3 Brothers Stable are the proud owners of this Bettor’s Delight filly.