Vernon Downs increases purses

Vernon Downs will sport bigger purses starting with the Thursday (June 21) card.

Jason Settlemoir, Vice President of Racing, said, "We are happy to be able to have shown considerable improvement thus far in regards to wagering on our live product; our import number is up, too. Scott Warren (race secretary) has done an excellent job in providing our customers with good, solid wagering races. These increases have been substantial enough to warrant a purse increase at Vernon that we are pleased to announce."

All classes currently written will reflect a purse increase.

Vernon Downs will increase its racing schedule beginning in July. For the month of July, Vernon Downs will race Wednesday through Saturday with the exception of the week of July 1. That week racing will be added on Tuesday (July 3) with a 6:50 p.m. post time with fireworks and will be dark Thursday (July 5). The Wednesday (July 4) program will be a matinee with a post time at 1:15 p.m.

In August we will race Wednesday through Saturday with the exception of the week of August 26. That week Vernon Downs will race a special Sunday matinee program (post time 1:15 p.m.) with the $700,000 Zweig Memorial and the $50,000 Drivers' Challenge.

The dark days for the week will be Wednesday (August 29) and Thursday (August 30). "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen will be in concert in the infield on August 29 at 7:30 p.m.

The 90-day meet concludes on Saturday (Nov. 3). For more information visit www.vernondowns.com.