Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Vernon Downs prepares for closing weekend of racing season

Special promotions, giveaways and racing planned for the first weekend in November


Vernon Downs has planned a special night of promotions and giveaways to celebrate the end of the 2012 harness racing season on Saturday, November 3.


Closing Night begins with a special early post time of 6:00 PM. Fans will receive a free Vernon Downs long-sleeved T-shirt while supplies last and can also enter to win a Club Car golf cart sponsored by Clinton Tractor. The night concludes with a magnificent fireworks show following the final race of the season.

On the track, Vernon Downs will conduct its second annual Turn Back the Clock Rewind races in honor of the end of daylight savings time. Two races, one for pacers and one for trotters, will be raced at the special distance of 7/8 of a mile in a clockwise direction, the opposite of traditional one mile races.

"Our fans and horsemen responded well to the Rewind Races last year and the races produced some of the closest finishes of the year," said Vernon Downs race secretary Scott Warren. "It's always fun when we can change things up a bit and do something different for our fans."

As the racing season winds down, Frankfort-native Rick Plano is on pace to pull off a major accomplishment. He currently leads both the driver and trainer standings at Vernon Downs.

Entering racing this week, Plano holds a commanding lead in the driver standings with 142 wins, 49 more than his closest pursuer. His lead in the trainer standings is a mere four wins over defending champion Tracy Brainard.

Vernon Downs will also present the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships from Santa Anita Park in California on Friday and Saturday, November 2-3. Fans can watch and wager on all 15 championship races with more than $25 million in prize money on the line.

Live racing at Vernon Downs continues Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Closing Weekend. The first race each night is at 6:55. Admission and general parking are always free.

For more information, visit us online at www.VernonDowns.com.

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