Unshakeable Takes Saturday Night Featured Trot

The talented trotter Unshakeable didn’t panic while under pressure in the stretch and, instead, held on to record a 1:56.3 victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs.

With 10-time track driving champion Howard Okusko, Jr. doing the teaming for his wife, Jessica, the track's 2009 training titleist, Unshakeable ($6.60) gained the lead before the half (timed in :57.3) and remained in command by a length entering the final furlong.

In spite of pressure from two closing rivals in the final strides, Unshakeable just kept digging until he had secured a neck triumph over Spin Spanky Spin in the week's Open-1 contest.

It marked the second season's score and 16th lifetime win for the 6-year-old son of Andover Hall-Sister Sammy, who is shared in ownership by driver Okusko, Conrad Zurich and the Purple Haze Stables.

While boosting the bay gelding's career earnings to more than $161,000, the Okuskos completed a double during Saturday's 10-race program, having won earlier in the card with the trotter Mystic Splendor, owned by trainer Okusko and Kenneth Finnerty, in 1:56.2.

Multiple victories were also recorded by drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Michael Miller.

DOWNS DOINGS - Whittemore tops all drivers at the 17-night meeting with 32 first-place finishes, while Miller is currently the leading provisional reinsman with five tallies... Former Vernon driving kingpins John Stark, Jr. (Savannah Montana in 1:59.3) and Brian Allen (Artemus Major in 1:56.3) revisited the track's winner's circle during the program after shipping over from Saratoga Raceway... Vernon will present a 12-race card at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (May 30) that includes the championship finals in the $521,700 Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old trotters, a male contest in race six and a filly flight in race nine...Thursday night programs will resume at 7:05 on June 2... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Blueridge Betty Doubles Up in Friday Night Feature

It took Blueridge Betty a while to get geared up, but she eventually was able to rally for a 1:54.2 victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Facing five female foes on a deteriorating track due to a heavy thunder shower, Blueridge Betty ($17.00) laid back in last place for three-quarters of the week's distaff Open, then powered up around the final bend and streaked through the final sixteenth to nip another closer, Hugs Again, by a nose at the conclusion of the mile contest.

The win over a track labeled "good" was the second in a row, third at the 16-night meeting and 10th all-time for the hard-hitting 5-year-old mare, who is owned by the Big Sky Ranch.

Trainer Joe Nassimos did the teaming as the bay daughter of Modern Art-Miss Megan E raised her career earnings to nearly $79,000.

Newcomer Frank Milby secured a triple following first-place finishes behind the pacers My Girl Lora, Miracle Lu Lu and Mach Hula, while drivers Roman Lopez, Leon Bailey, and trainers Lopez, Deedra Johnson and Dave Dewhurst were all credited with two-win outings during the 12-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Blueridge Betty became the seventh three-time winner this year at the Downs, joining fellow pacers Mystical Valentine, By All Means, P L Comestowin, Rosa Villa (earlier in the program) and trotters Cello Hanover and The Kentuckian as season's leaders in this category... Milby, who leads in driving doubles with five, also sports a four-win outing at the meet... Saturday night's 10-race program, which begins at 7:05, will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Vernon will present a 12-race card at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (May 30) that includes the championship finals in the $500,000-plus Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old trotters, a male contest in race six and a filly flight in race nine...Thursday night programs will resume at 7:05 on June 2... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Empire Breeders' Classic Finals on tap Monday afternoon at Vernon Downs

In the $283,475 final of the Empire Breeders' Classic for 3-year old colt and gelding trotters, Dejarmbro and I’m The Answer, who will be coupled in Monday's wagering, have been made the 9-5 morning line favorites in race number six.

The two Credit Winner sophomores both established new lifetime marks in last week's eliminations with trainer/driver Trond Smedshammer for Purple Haze Stables.

With Smedshammer driving Dejarmbro in the final on Monday afternoon, Brian Sears has been called upon to drive I'm The Answer, who posted the fastest elimination with a 1:54.3 first-over score.

Below is the field for Monday's Final
Race 6
$283,475 Empire Breeders’ Classic Final
3-year-old colt and gelding trotters

# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 2 Dejarmbro Trond Smedshammer Trond Smedshammer

1A 3 I’m The Answer Brian Sears Trond Smedshammer

2 4 All In Tad Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker

2A 8 Whitewater Rapids Jeff Gregory Ray Schnittker

2B 9 Wheels Tim Tetrick Ray Schnittker

3 1 Evil Urges Jimmy Whittemore Homer Hochstetler

4 5 Surface Tension Dan Daley Dan Daley

5 6 Keenan Chris Lems Larry Remmen

6 7 Whatever It Takes Andy Miller Julie Miller

In the $238,225 final for 3-year-old filly trotters, a three-horse Gewertz/Schnittker-owned entry has been made the 2-1 morning line favorite and will include Jezzy, Epona Blue Chip, and Some Girls.

Last week, Jezzy used a pocket trip to notch her second win of the year in a new lifetime best of 1:56.1.

However, with the Schnittker entry, Tim Tetrick has been given the mount on Jezzy for Monday's final.

Below is the field:
Race 9
$238,225 Empire Breeders’ Classic Final
3-year-old filly trotters:

# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER

1 3 Jezzy Tim Tetrick Ray Schnittker

1A 5 Epona Blue Chip Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker

1B 9 Some Girls Brian Sears Gates Brunet

2 1 Temper Of Will Jimmy Whittemore Trond Smedshammer

3 2 Em El Cash Trond Smedshammer Trond Smedshammer

4 4 Four Damsals Jeff Gregory George Ducharme

5 6 Imageofasweetday John Stark Jr. John Stark Jr.

6 7 Leah’s Ex Angus Mac Donald Angus Mac Donald

7 8 Miss Sue V Andy Miller Paul Kelley

The rich finals will be contested on a special race day for Memorial Day (Monday, May 30th) with an afternoon post time of 1:15 pm.

For more information please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com and Like us on Facebook.

Two Track Records Fall on Saturday Night at Vernon Downs

Sophomore trotting standouts Jezzy and Dejarmbro lived up to their advanced billing, while I’m The Answer and Master’s Cook turned in track record performances during Saturday night's 12-race program at Vernon Downs.

Jezzy captured the first of two elimination divisions for 3-year-old trotting fillies in the Empire Breeders Classic with a career best 1:56.1 mile, while last season's New York Sires Stakes champion Dejarmbro lowered his speed mark to 1:54.4 while winning one of three divisions of the EBC for sophomore colt and gelding high steppers.

Driven to victory by trainer Ray Schnittker, a part owner of the Credit Winner filly along with Jeff Gural, Jerry Silva and Theodore Gewertz, Jezzy turned a pocket trip into a solid score, her second in a row this season and 12th in 13 lifetime starts.

Dejarmbro, a son of Credit Winner owned by Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables, rallied from fourth at the quarter and closed from second in the homestretch to post his season's debut in the win column.Trainer Trond Smedshammer did the teaming as the capable colt improved to nine first-place finishes in 12 lifetime outings.

I'm The Answer, also owned by the Purple Haze Stables, lowered the Vernon record for 3-year-old trotting geldings to 1:54.3 with his victory in the first EBC male division, while Master's Cook set a fresh Downs mile-and-three-eighths standard for trotters with his 2:44.3 showing in the evening's first event.

Saturday's other filly elimination flight went to Four Damsals in 1:56.1.

Also qualifying for the $250,000 EBC distaff final, to be raced at the Downs at 1:15 on Memorial Day afternoon were Imageofasweetday, Miss Sue V, Temper Of Will, Some Girls, Em El Cash, Leah's Ex and Epona Blue Chip.

The final EBC segment for male square-gaiters was won by Evil Urges in 1:56.

Completing the field for the $250,000 colt and gelding final on May 30 will be Surface Tension, Keenan, Whatever It Takes, All In Tad, Wheels and Whitewater Rapids.

Philip Hale's Mystical Valentine won Saturday's $10,000 Open-1 pace in 1:52.

The meet's leading reinsman, Jimmy Whittemore, chalked up three wins during the evening, while Smedshammer, Jeff Gregory and Jack Rice earned driving doubles.

Trainers Tracy Brainard and George Ducharme also harnessed a pair of first-place finishers during the track's 15th program of 2011.

DOWNS DOINGS - In a drawing by lot conducted during the program, Epona Blue Chip got the nod over the other fifth-place finisher, Pretty As My Mom, to become the final eligible for the Memorial Day filly championship field. Pretty As My Mom will serve as the race's first also-eligible... I’m The Answer clipped two-fifths-of-a-second off the former track mark for 3-year-old geldings, that was set by Whata Winner in May of 2010... Vernon's previous 1-3/8ths-mile standard for trotters was 2:49.4, established by Chautauqua Jam (Whittemore driving) in June of 2009... There will be no live racing at the Downs this Thursday (May 26) due to the 1:15 Memorial Day matinee program on May 30. Thursday programs will resume on June 2... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Frosty Flirt Overcomes Outside Post to Win Friday night Feature

Tracy Brainard's fast-striding trotter Frosty Flirt didn’t disappoint in Friday night's $10,000 featured Open-1 contest at Vernon Downs.

Assigned the outside seven post in Friday's ninth event, Frosty Flirt ($4.50) got away fourth as Vacation Day cut a quarter in :27.2, a half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1 over a track labeled good.

Moving into contention on the backstretch, the feisty 4-year-old mare finally took the lead in the final furlong and drew off for a 1-1/4 length victory over her pace-setting rival.

The 1:55 clocking was a new win mark for the bay daughter of Plesac-Village Flirt, and it was just ticks of the timer off the fastest trotting mile at the 14-night meeting.

The Brainard trainee now sports two wins in three current outings, 12 lifetime tallies and total earnings of more than $256,000.

Driver Frank Milby also won with the Sam Serianni-conditioned trotter Becca's Girl (2:01.2) to earn his meet-leading 5th double of the local campaign.

Leading dash-winning pilot Jimmy Whittemore captured the 12-race card's final three events to post his third triple of the year here, while driver Chris Lems also chalked up a double.

DOWNS DOINGS - Despite the off track label, eight of Friday's first-place finishers earned new win marks... The Bay Pond Racing Stable's sophomore trotter State Fair remained unbeaten after two current starts after a 1:58.4 career best showing for driver Joe Nassimos and trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. in Friday's fifth event... Fans attending tomorrow (May 21) will get the opportunity to watch and wager on thoroughbred racing's Preakness Stake from Maryland, then stay for Vernon's 12-race live card, that begins at 7:05 p.m. Saturday's talent rich line-up includes the week's $10,000 Open pace, plus five elimination divisions for the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic sophomore trot that will conclude on Monday afternoon, May 30... There will be no live racing at the Downs on Thursday (May 26) due to the Memorial Day matinee at 1:15 on May 30. Thursday programs will resume on June 2… …Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Blueridge Betty Pulls Off Upset in Thursday Night Feature

Blueridge Betty closed with a rush to win Thursday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

With trainer Joe Nassimos at the controls for the Big Sky Ranch, Blueridge Betty ($28.00) idled in or near last place through approximately three quarters of Thursday's Open contest for female pacers.

Hemmed in fourth entering the stretch drive, the slick-striding 5-year-old mare exploited a late opening in the inside pylon path, zipped through (last quarter in :28.2 on a sloppy track) and came up with her second win at the meet, plus a fresh 1:53.4 record.

While defeating the favorite Semjac Legacy by a 1/2 length, the bay daughter of Modern Art-Miss Megan E raised her career summary to nine victories and earnings of nearly $74,000.

The pacer By All Means (Truman Gale driving for owner/trainer Robert C. Gale) and trotter Cello Hanover (Frank Milby teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard and owner Donald E. Brainard) became the third and fourth horses at the 13-night meet to become three-time winners with their Thursday tallies in 1:55.1 and 1:58.4, respectively.

Frank Davis and Fern Paquet, Jr. each posted driving doubles during Thursday's 12-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Truman Gale became the meet's initial four-time winning provisional reinsman following his first-place finish behind By All Means in Thursday's fifth contest... The meet's other three-time winning equines are the pacer P L Comestowin and trotter The Kentuckian... There will be no live racing at the Downs next Thursday (May 26) due to a Memorial Day matinee at 1:15 on May 30. Thursday programs will resume on June 2... Vernon will offer 12-race cards at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow (May 20) and Saturday (May 21). Saturday's slate includes the week's $10,000 Open pace and five elimination divisions for the $500,000 Empire Breeders Classic sophomore trot, which will conclude on Monday, May 30... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Empire Breeders' Classic eliminations highlight Vernon Saturday card

Eliminations for the $500,000 Empire Breeders' Classics will headline a 12-race card on Saturday night at Vernon Downs.

Leading the way for 16 trotting fillies in the first division is Jezzy from the always powerful Ray Schnittker stable.

The 3-year old daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind began her sophomore campaign last weekend at Vernon with a victory in a division of the John F Simpson.

Jezzy won by three-quarters of a length as the 1-5 prohibitive favorite in 1:57.2.

Last year Jezzy posted 10 wins and a second from 11 seasonal starts with her only defeat coming in the New York Sire Stakes Final.

Jezzy will start from post position number four on Saturday night in the first division for trotting fillies slated as race number two.

On the men's side, Dejarmbro leads a group of 25 3-year old colt and gelding trotters in the second of three divisions slated as race number six.

Dejarmbro was the 2010 NYSS champion for freshman trotters last year and also won an elimination of the Breeders' Crown at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in a lifetime best of 1:55.

Since last year the 3-year old son of Credit Winner–Armbro Déjà vu has relocated to the Trond Smedshammer Stable to begin his run at what the connections hope to be a Hambletonian campaign.

Trond Smedshammer is listed to drive Dejarmbro from post position number two on Saturday night after winning his second qualifier of the year at The Meadowlands in 1:56.2.

The rich $500,000 finals will be contested on Memorial Day (Monday, May 30th) with an afternoon post time of 1:15 pm.

Vernon Downs begins its weekend of live racing action on Thursday, May 19th with a post time of 7:05 pm.

For more information please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Talented Trotters Jezzy, Ice Machine Shine in Simpson Stakes

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.

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 3-year-old trotting fillies, while Ice Machine, fresh off a 1:57.3 score in the prestigious, $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 $23,47410th 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 ¾-length triumph in her season's debut.

The gifted daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind now sports a record of 11 wins, a 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 1-1/4 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 honors for owner and trainer Tracy Brainard in Saturday's 11th event.

DOWNS DOINGS - Norris and Stephane Bouchard earned driving doubles during Saturday's 12-race program... Madam Stacey and Spectator K also chalked up fresh win marks with their Simpson scores... Charlie De Vie is now unbeaten in two tries on the current campaign... Vernon will offer live racing at 7:05 Thursday-Saturday nights next week... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

The Kentuckian at home at Vernon Downs

The Kentuckian extended his winning streak to three with a breezy 1:56.2 victory in Friday night's $8,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

After dueling with newcomer Fash Bash Girl early in Friday's Open-2 contest, The Kentuckian ($2.50) took charge and was never headed en route to a 2-1/4 length triumph over Mystic Splendor.

While tying the pacer P L Comestowin for meet's longest winning spree after 11 programs, the gritty 5-year-old gelding garnered his third win in five season's starts and his seventh career score.

Frank Milby drove the bay son of Windsong's Legacy for trainer Tracy Brainard, who owns the lifetime winner of $36,550 along with the Foulk Stables, Inc.

The Kentuckian's spirited score gave Milby and Brainard doubles during Friday's 12-race card, as they also combined for a first-place finish with the trotter Boy Meets Grill (owned by Brainard and Andrew Herzog) in Friday's seventh session.

Brian Connor was also credited with a pair of victories, guiding the pacers Southwind Trini (1:59) and Head First (1:57.1) into the track's winner's circle.

DOWNS DOINGS - Milby has earned six win credits in two programs this week, raising his meet total to 16, second only to defending champ Jimmy Whittemore... Brandon Loomis earned his first pari-mutuel driving victory after guiding Lewis Rosselli, Jr.'s trotter All Night Dwight to a fast-closing 1:59 tally in Friday's third race... The pacers Poker Champ, Southwind Trini, Head First, plus trotters Four Damsals and State Fair all posted their "maiden" victories during Friday's action... Saturday's 12-race line-up, which starts at 7:05 p.m., includes six divisions of the $143,432 John Simpson Memorial Stakes (three for female trotters and three for male high-steppers), plus the week's $10,000 Open pace... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Simpson Stakes Highlight Vernon Downs' Saturday 12-race card

Vernon Downs will play host to its first Grand Circuit stakes of the season as the John Simpson Stakes head to Vernon, New York on Saturday, May 14.

Three divisions for 3-year old colt and gelding trotters and three divisions for 3-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 3-year old daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind is owned in partnership by Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva, Jeff Gural, and Theodore Gewertz.

Jezzy won 10 of 11 starts last year as a freshman and earned $263,138 competing mostly on the New York Sire Stakes circuit; she did take 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 Robert 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 favorite and will start from post position number eight in the third and final division for the boys slated for race number 10 on the 12-race card.

Vernon Downs continues its weekend of live racing action on Friday with a post time of 7:05 pm and continues racing Saturday night at 7:05 pm.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

She's Everything Doubles Up in Thursday Feature

Shes Everything continued her tender winning streak with a 1:54.4 pacing performance in Thursday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Fresh from a front-striding 1:53.4 triumph on May 7, opening night at Tioga Downs, Shes Everything ($3.30) employed similar route going tactics in Thursday's Open for female side-wheelers, cutting splits of :28.1, :58.3 and 1:28 on her way to a 1-1/4 length victory over Hugs Again.

Thursday's tally was the third in 13 current outings, the 18th all-time, and it increased her lifetime earnings to $239,921.

Greg Merton drove for trainer Tracy Brainard, who owns the quick-striding 5-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover along with Andrew Herzog.

Newcomer Frank Milby's driving skills were on display as he captured four of Thursday's 10 races.

He won with the pacers P L Comestowin (1:54), My Girl Lora (1:54.1), Won Night Stand (1:53.1) and trotter Lekka (1:58.2) to join Jimmy Whittemore, Jack Rice and Howard Okusko, Jr. as the only drivers to have notched four races on a single program at the meet.

Driver Leon Bailey, as well as Brainard and trainer Lonny Hale also posted two wins during the track’s 10th program of 2011.

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon has advanced its first nightly post time to 7:05... The Leslie Hale owned and trained P L Comestowin became the meet's initial three-time winner after her 1:54 career-best clocking in Thursday's second race... Vernon will offer 12 races on Friday and Saturday nights this weekend... Saturday's slate includes six divisions of the John Simpson Memorial Stakes (three for female trotters and three for male high-steppers), plus the week's $10,000 Open pace... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

He's Gorgeous Shatters Track Record in Saturday Night Feature

In an eye-popping performance, He's Gorgeous powered to 1:50 track record for 4-year-old pacing horses while winning the $10,000 featured ninth race on Saturday night at Vernon Downs.

Competing against four select rivals in the week's Open-1 contest, He's Gorgeous battled with Sheer Brilliance to the quarter, reached in :26.3, then took command and led through additional splits of :54.4 and 1:22.2 en route to a decisive score over Mystical Valentine.

Sheer Brilliance finished third.

Jack Rice drove for trainer Tracy Brainard and owner Ken Jacobs as the quick-striding bay son of Art Major-So Ravishing recorded his first local victory, second this season and 19th all-time.

The career winner of nearly $700,000 improved his win record by 1.4 seconds and trimmed two-fifths of a second off the Vernon record for his class.

The previous mark was established by Riggins in 2009 and tied by Bay Of Sharks in May of last year.

Howard Okusko, Jr. won with trotters Sweetie's Secret (2:02.1), Tip The Tide (1:59), Catch The Dream (1:59.2) and pacer Rick's Crossroads (1:53.4) to join Rice and Jimmy Whittemore as the only drivers to earn four wins on a single program after nine racing nights.

DOWNS DOINGS - He's Gorgeous's mile is the fastest of the season locally and just one tick of the timer off the quickest mile ever at the Downs... Whittemore won three races during Saturday's 12-race program to increase his leading victory total for the meet to 21. The two-time defending Downs champ picked up 10 wins during the three-night weekend... Defending titleist Brainard leads in training tallies with 22... Rice, Brainard, driver Chris Lems plus trainers Lonny Hale and Jessica Okusko were each credited with two tallies during the track's ninth program... The Downs will offer live racing at 7:05 p.m. Thursday through Saturday next week... Additional information regarding the track’s 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Frosty Flirt Returns a Winner in Trotting Feature

Frosty Flirt and The Kentuckian captured Friday night's top trotting tests at Vernon Downs.

Making her season's debut, Frosty Flirt ($4.20) won Friday's $10,000 featured ninth race, the week's Open contest, while The Kentuckian ($4.00) notched his second win in succession with a 1:55.1 decision in the $6,000 seventh session.

Frank Milby drove both first-place finishers for trainer Tracy Brainard.

The favorite Frosty Flirt, owned by Brainard, closed from fifth in the final furlong and eked out a neck victory over Unshakeable.

The 1:56.2 clocking resulted in the 11th lifetime win for the 4-year-old mare, who increased her career earnings to more than $243,000.

The Kentuckian, a 1:56.1 winner in his last outing here on April 29, used front striding tactics to record a career-best 1:55.1 triumph, fastest on the diagonal gait during Friday's 10-race program.

Owned by the Foulk Stables, the quick-footed 4-year-old gelding, now sports six career wins and all-time earnings of $32,550.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore won with the trotters Neon Dream (1:56.2), Corregidore (1:59.2), Valley Crown (2:00.3) and Wild Goose Lodge (1:58) to chalk up his second four-win performance at the eight night meeting.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Kentuckian's time was just 3/5ths-of-a-second off the fastest trotting mile of the meet, established by Scorpion Moon on April 15... Friday's swiftest mile was a life's-best 1:53.4 clocking by Robert Gale's 4-year-old pacing mare By All Means in race 10, which made Truman Gale the track's top provisional pilot with three victories... Starting at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, The Downs will simulcast all of the races from Churchill Downs, including the famed Kentucky Derby at approximately 6:24 p.m. Vernon's live 12-race Saturday card will begin at 7 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com and by liking us on Facebook.

Canaco Star Becomes Two-Time Winner at Vernon Downs

The super steady pacer Canaco Star became the 12th two-time winner after seven Vernon Downs programs following her 1:54.2 performance in Thursday night's $6,000 featured ninth event.

Leaving from post three against five select female rivals during the track's initial Thursday program of 2011, the favored Canaco Star ($3.70) went right to the front and cut fractions of :28 seconds, :56.3 and 1:25.2 en route to a 2-1/2 length victory over Won Night Stand.

Thursday's strong showing improved the 5-year-old mare's current performance chart to 9-2-2 after 13 trips to the track.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore drove for trainer Lonny Hale and owners Dr. Michael Kessler and the Speed To Burn Racing Stable.

The bay daughter of Yankee Cam-Dime A Minute increased her career winnings to $78,315.

Whittemore, the track's two-time defending driving champ, also finished first with the pacer Jo Pa's Wish (1:56.4) and trotter My Irish Molly (2:00).

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon's other repeat winners this season include the pacers Dry Gulch, Semjac Legacy, Johnny Midnight, Mystical Valentine, Pro Bono Frank, and trotters Fancy Shot, Cello Hanover, Oven Ready, Pacific Wave, Order By Texas and Chips Full House... Canaco Star, the only successful claim thus far this season at the Downs, has earned back nearly $7,000 in three starts for his new owners since being claimed by them for $12,000 back on April 15... Friday's 10-race card, which includes the week's $10,000, Open trot, will begin at 7 p.m...Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com or by becoming our fan on Facebook.

Vernon Downs declares American Freedom Day

It's a tremendous day in history, Vernon Downs Casino has declared today at its property, American Freedom Day, in response to the recent news on America's fight against terrorism.

Vernon Downs will be giving all of its customers today only, 1 free buffet per person during lunch or dinner hours in the Champions Buffet, with a valid "Your Club" card.

"From someone who lost friends on 9/11 and who could see the smoke rising from my daughter's apartment on that day, we have all waited for this day to come, and this is our way of sharing the celebratory mood we are all in," said Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment. "I am sure I speak for everyone in commending the Navy Seals who carried out this mission."

Vernon Downs Casino, "More Free Play, a short drive away".

You must be 18 years old to play video gaming machines, please play responsibly.

For more information please contact us at 877-88-VERNON or online at www.vernondowns.com

Mystical Valentine Zooms to Feature Win

The pacer Mystical Valentine shrugged off a rise in class and captured Saturday night's $10,000 Open feature at Vernon Downs.

Fresh off a 1:54.2 tally in Open-2 competition here last week, Mystical Valentine ($19.00) zoomed out for the early lead, then drafted along behind Diamond Stick Pin until the stretch drive, where he battled back to the top and held off the on-rushing He's Gorgeous by three-quarters of a length in Saturday's 10th contest.

Diamond Stick Pin finished third in the 1:51.2 mile.

It was the second win in succession and the fourth in seven season's starts for the 5-year-old son of Dream Work-Sneakheravalentine, who now sports 17 lifetime victories and winnings of $267,277.

Frank Milby, sitting in for former track training champ Dave Dewhurst and owner Philip K. Hale, completed a driving double during the 12-race card.

Ten-time Downs driving champ Howard Okusko, Jr. was credited with three wins during the track's sixth live program, while driver Jack Rice and trainer Tracy Brainard each recorded a pair of first-place finishes.

DOWNS DOINGS - Mystical Valentine's 1:51.2 clocking was just 1/5th-of-a-second off the meet's fastest mile, set by the pacer Dry Gulch on April 23... Mystical Valentine, who owns a 4-1-1 summary line after seven current outings, joined fellow pacers Dry Gulch, Semjac Legacy, Johnny Midnight, and the trotters Fancy Shot, Cello Hanover, Oven Ready, Pacific Wave and Order By Texas as two-time winners during April... Provisional driver Truman Gale earned his initial win of 2011 here behind the pacer By All Means in Saturday's second race... The pacers Boardmaster and Fox Valley Shyboy gave Vernon its first dead-heat for win at the meet in Saturday's fourth race... Next week, Vernon will offer live racing at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Semjac Legacy Extends Winning Streak to 3 in Feature Win

Semjac Legacy and Duke Of Wellington each finished first in the co-featured pace and trot, respectively, on Friday night (April 29) at Vernon Downs.

Semjac Legacy ($4.80) increased his winning streak to three following a 1:53.1 triumph in Friday's $10,000 10th event, the weekend's Open for female pacers, while Duke Of Wellington ($33.60) captured the $10,000 ninth event, the week's Open-1 trotting test, in 1:56.3.

Semjac Legacy's front-ending tally over seven distaff rivals was her second in succession in this class at Vernon.

The one-length score marked the fourth season's success and the 29th lifetime for the streaking 5-year-old mare, a career-winner of $197,293.

Jack Rice drove for trainer Tracy Brainard and her ownership partner, Andrew Herzog.

Duke Of Wellington, making only his second local start, drafted behind the pace-setting Boy Meets Grill until the final furlong, and then rallied in the pylon path to edge the on-rushing Unshakeable by a half-a-length.

Boy Meets Grill ended up third.

Friday's victory was the third this season, 15th all-time and it resulted in fresh win clocking for the 6-year-old gelding, who increased his lifetime bankroll to more than $81,400.

Jimmy Whittemore did the catch-driving for trainer Rose Russo and owner Howard Ouriel.

Leading driver Whittemore, Chris Lems, newcomer Frank Milby, and top trainer Brainard all recorded doubles during Friday's 12-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Semjac Legacy became the meeting's second two-time winning pacer (the other was Dry Gulch last Saturday night), while Friday winners Oven Ready, Pacific Wave and Order By Texas joined fellow trotters Fancy Shot and Cello Hanover as repeat winners here after five programs... Michael Miller became the season's first two-time winning provisional reinsman following a 1:57.3 journey behind Pacific Wave's win in Friday's seventh event... Saturday night's 12-race program, which features the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace, will begin at 7 p.m... Vernon will add Thursday night racing to its schedule on May 5... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.