by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — Transplanted midwesterner Brandon Simpson, who now calls Slate Hill, N.Y., home, is enjoying good times in the sulky, not only at Monticello Raceway but recently he’s made his presence known at the Meadowlands.

On Thursday (March 3) Simpson had one of his best days, winning three races at The Mighty M in the afternoon and then scoring a victory at the Big M in the evening.

Geri Schwarz photo

Brandon Simpson reins Orlo to victory on Thursday at the Mighty M.

At Monticello, Simpson scored behind trotter Attitudeofroyalty in a 2:03.4 clocking and then came back the following race and scored a 2:01 pacing triumph with Orlo. His hat track victory came in race ten when he reined trotter Lively Moment to a 2:03 triumph. Now with 27 wins, Simpson is currently in sixth place in races won here this season.

Upon the completion of the card at Monticello, Simpson then took the 90 mile trip to the Meadowlands where he had eight drives on their 10-race card. Along with a second and a third place finish, Simpson reined his fourth winner of the day when he guided trotter Habanero to a 1:55.4 score. That marked his 11th driving victory at the Big M which currently ranks him eighth on their leaderboard.

Last year in early February Simpson left the familiar surroundings of the racing scene in the greater Chicago area and ventured east. He settled in Orange County, N.Y., where he had easy access to three racetracks — the Meadowlands, Yonkers and Monticello.

While it is hard for any newcomer, even one with a good resume (295 wins, $2.4 million in purses during 2009), to catch on in metropolitan New York, many found a back-door way to the big time by earning their bones at Monticello Raceway, a longtime stepping stone into New York.

Although Simpson drove occasionally at both Yonkers Raceway and the Meadowlands he found a home at the Mighty M. And since there was a solid driving colony at Monticello Raceway, Simpson started slowly but later picked up the pace and finished with 125 wins, eighth best here in 2010.

“I like it here,” said the 29-year-old reinsman about racing at Monticello. “When I left Chicago I didn’t come east with a big stable and it took me a while to get established. I started slowly catch-driving but then I began to pick up some live mounts, and, of course, a driver always looks better when he’s driving better stock and winning.”

Simpson’s accomplishments at The Mighty M last season drew the notice of the local scribes who, at the Monticello-Goshen Chapter USHWA awards banquet last fall, honored him with their Rising Star Award.

It’s probably no secret that Simpson — who has the talent — will move on to bigger and better things. But for now, his participation at Monticello Raceway is an asset to both him and to the raceway.