To Beach His Own sparkles in Farina Series

To Beach His Own sparkles in 1:50.4

To Beach His Own re-set the Vernon Downs current speed standard to 1:50.4 with his dominating victory in Saturday night's 10^th race as driver/trainer Ray Schnittker completed a second-leg sweep of the new Anthony J. Farina Memorial Pacing Series.

Schnittker, who captured the opening Farina flight with Red Rock in race one, roared back in the final elimination round with To Beach His Own to not only pin a fresh win mark on the fleet-footed youngster, but also come within 3/5ths-of-a-second of the track's record for 3-year-old gelding pacers.

The sizzling score was the first win in six current outings and the second lifetime tally for the bay son of Rocknroll Hanover-Beachy Lady, who is shared in ownership by Schnittker, Theodore Gewertz, Dean Davis and Steven Arnold.

Schnittker, who has recorded three doubles at the six night meet, is also a partner, with Dr. John M. Egloff, in Red Rock, who secured a 1:52.2 win-mark and his third triumph in four season's outings.  Two of the sophomore gelding's tallies have come in the Farina series.

Earlier in Saturday's 13-race program, the pacers Ourea Nourrir and Western Trademark had each lowered the track's current speed standard to 1:51.4 with their respective scores in races six and nine.

Veteran trainer Tracy Brainard harnessed three Saturday winners, the trotter Tioga Thunder (1:56.3), as well as the pacers Ourea Nourrir and Our Ella (1:55.1).

In addition to Schnittker, Saturday doubles were secured by drivers Brian Connor, John MacDonald and trainer Lonny Hale.      

DOWNS DOINGS—The Farina series championship race will be conducted, as will the final of the Catherine Burton Memorial Trotting Series, during next Saturday's Vernon program, which is slated to begin with a special 5:10 p.m. Kentucky Derby day post time…Red Rock and fellow pacers Ideally Magic and Bullish Blue Chip each became two-time winners at the meet on Saturday. ..After six racing programs, Rick Plano leads in driving victories with 14, while Brainard and Roman Lopez are tied in training tallies with eight apiece…The Downs will continue Friday and Saturday evening racing through May 4.  Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign continues through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

The Evictor Highlights Driving Double for Marcus Miller on Friday Night

The Evictor made fast work of seven high-stepping Open rivals, while Hold On Tightly became the first three-time winner of the season at Vernon Downs on Friday night (April 26).

The Evictor (Marcus Miller) wins Friday's Open Trot

With Marcus Miller doing the teaming for trainer John Butenschoen in race 10, The Evictor took over from Yankee Manny in the stretch drive and powered to an impressive 1:54.3 victory, fastest trotting mile of the five-program season at the central New York 7/8ths-mile harness track.

The quick-striding score was the first locally, the second this season and the 14^th overall for the 5-year-old son of Valley Victory, a career earner of more than $473,000 who is shared in ownership by William C. Wiswell and Jean Goehlen.

Hold On Tightly continued his first-place fetish with a sparkling 1:57.1 tally for trainer and driver Roman Lopez in race nine, fourth and final qualifying division in the second leg of the new Catherine Burton Memorial Trotting Series.  It was a career-best performance for the 4-year-old son of Cash Hall, who is registered to Richard Thurlow, and the swiftest series score to date.

Henry Wilson began the program with a Burton Series double, scoring with Majestic Won (1:58.1) in the opener and Beautiful Babe (1:58.4) in Friday's second session.  Both square-gaiters are owned by Joan Rae Ellafrits and Lynn Wilson.

Defending dash and training champ Rick Plano piloted Frisky Girl to a 1:59.1 maiden-breaking victory in Friday's s other Burton donnybrook.  Peter Carney conditions the 5-year-old daughter of Frisky Fighter for Anne Wheeler and Dr. Robert Keller.

In addition to driver/trainer Wilson, Plano produced his second four-win outing here in 2013 during Friday's 13-race card, while Miller also won with the Jenny Melander-owned and trained trotter Don Dinero (1:58.4) in the evening's 11^th event.  It was the first career tally for the 7-year-old son of Revenue S.

DOWNS DOINGS—The Burton Series will conclude with a championship clash next Saturday night (May 4)…Plano's four-bagger came in races five through eight…The Downs began its new Showdown Handicapping Contest on Friday night…Saturday's 13-race card, which features an Open Pace and two divisions in the second and final round of the Anthony Farina Memorial Pacing Series, will also offer the "Spring Fever Handicapping Contest."  First post is at 6:45 p.m…The Downs will continue Friday and Saturday evening racing through May 4.  Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign continues through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

VERNON DOWNS "SHOWDOWN" CONTEST BEGINS TOMORROW

$1,500 top prize, contestants must register for free by Friday, April 26

The inaugural edition of Vernon Downs "Showdown" contest begins tomorrow (Friday) as the track's live racing season continues. Free registration is still available.

"Showdown" requires contestants to select one horse in any race each racing night. That horse must finish first, second or third in order for the contestant to remain in the competition. If the contestant is successful, they will advance to the next race night, otherwise, they will be eliminated.

Contestants must register for free and make their horse selection no later than 6:35 PM Eastern Time Friday, April 26 in order to be eligible for the contest.

The contestant that lasts the longest will win the $1,500 top prize. The runner-up will receive $750.

Fans can register and make their daily selection by visiting showdown.vernondowns.com.

Free online streaming video is also available on the Vernon Downs website so contestants can follow along with their selections each race night.

Thirty Two Red posts lifetime mark, Farina Pacing Series Underway

Rick Plano, who became the first driver to win four races on a Vernon Downs program this season, guided Rock Man to the fastest divisional victory in Saturday night's new Anthony J. Farina Memorial Pacing Series.

After initial first-leg Farina Series scores by Eternal Terror (1:56.1, with trainer Roman Lopez driving for the Tanah Merah Farms) and Red Rock (1:54.2, with trainer and part-owner Ray Schnittker steering for his partner Dr. John Egloff) in Saturday's second and fifth races, respectfully, Plano went out and hustled Rock Man to a 1:53.4 triumph in the eighth event for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. and owner Linda Manzi of Oneida.

Rock Man's time in the final Farina mile was a career-best effort for the 4-year-old son of Art Major-Gone Dancing, and only his second ever trip to the winner's circle. 

Plano, who is tied with Roman Lopez at nine for most Vernon victories after four current racing nights, also finished first with the pacers Ideally Magic (1:56.1), Iza Believer (1:54.1) and Where's Waldo (1:55.3).  He is the track's defending driving and training champion.

Thirty Two Red (far) posts a lifetime best 1:53.3 win on Saturday night

Schnittker secured a double during the program by teaming the pacer Thirty-Two Red to a 1:53.3 lifetime best victory in the sixth race that proved to be the fastest of 13 Saturday scores.  The quick-footed 3-year-old son of Bettor's Delight-Sakura Hanover is shared in ownership by trainer Schnittker, Theodore Gewertz, Steve Arnold, Mal and Janet Burroughs.

Other multiple winners during Saturday's slate were Lopez and driver Chris Lems, each with three tallies.   

DOWNS DOINGS—The Lopez trained and driven Shaolin Master, winner of race 10 in 1:57.4, became the first two-time winning pacer at the fledgling meet…Following Lopez and Plano atop Vernon's driver standings after four programs is Chris Lems with seven scores…The pacer Sweet Bettor, owned by the Triple C Stable, secured her "maiden" victory after Lems teamed the 4-year-old mare to a 1:59.1 success in Saturday's 12^th event…The Downs will continue Friday and Saturday evening racing only (first post 6:45) through May 4.  Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign continues through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

A Penny Earned splashes to Open Trot win

A Penny Earned captured the $10,000 Open trot, while Ray Schnittker secured two scores in the opening round of the Catherine Burton Memorial Trotting Series on a rainy Friday night at Vernon Downs.

Competing over a "sloppy" track in race nine, A Penny Earned eked out a neck tally in his initial venture of 2013.  With Chris Lems doing the driving, the determined 4-year-old bay horse rallied on the outside from fourth at the half and closed from second in the final strides to nip the front-striding Grey Ice in an impressive 1:57.3 performance. 

It marked the ninth career win for the quick-footed son of Conway Hall-Penny Dream, who boosted his all-time winnings to $206,556 for trainer George Ducharme and his ownership partners Alfred Ross, Paul Fontaine and Nicola Oliva.  The bay battler's winning time was just 3/5ths of a second off the fastest trotting mile of the three-night meet, set by Aruba Vacation last Friday.

Trainer Schnittker steered Il Pizzaiolo (2:01.4) and Laughing King (1:59.4) to victories in the new Burton Series, which honors the memory of a long-time track horsewoman and owner, who passed away at the age 88 last January. The first-place finishes resulted in initial career scores for each promising sophomore son of Deweycheatumnhowe.

Friday's other Burton winners were Pollux Blue Chip (2:00.4) and Hold On Tightly (2:01.4).

Friday's fastest mile was a 1:53.3 spin around Vernon's soggy 7/8ths-mile oval in race eight by Buck Stops Here, with John MacDonald doing the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard and her partners Charles and Giorgan Iannazzo.   

DOWNS DOINGS—The meet's initial two-time winners are the trotters Hold On Tightly, Ziegler Hanover, Alarming Quick and Scorpion Moon, who secured his 92^nd career tally in race 12…In addition to Schnittker, Friday doubles were recorded by defending driving and training champ Rick Plano, Chris Lems, owner Theodore Gewertz and conditioner Brainard…Saturday's 13-race slate includes three divisions in the new Anthony Farina Memorial Pacing Series and begins at 6:45 p.m…The Downs will continue Friday and Saturday evening racing (first post 6:45) only through May 4.  Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign continues through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

VERNON DOWNS ‘SHOWDOWN’ CONTEST OPEN FOR REGISTRATION TODAY

Online handicapping contest beginning April 26 offers free entry, $1,500 top prize

Vernon Downs is giving fans and horseplayers another way to win big this season by launching a free-to-enter online handicapping contest beginning April 26. Though the competition does not begin until April 26, free registration is open now.

Vernon Downs Showdown requires contestants to select one horse in any race each racing night.  That horse must finish first, second or third in order for the contestant to remain in the competition.  If the contestant is successful, they will advance to the next race night, otherwise, they will be eliminated.

The contestant that lasts the longest will win the $1,500 top prize. The runner-up will receive $750.

“I think this is a great contest because it sounds so simple, not only for our newer handicappers and racing fans, but also for the more experienced horseplayers out there,” said Justin Horowitz, Regional Racing Marketing Manager for Vernon Downs. “I’m hoping this will prove to be a great way to help showcase our product to fans across North America.”

Fans are encouraged to register now by visiting showdown.vernondowns.com.

All contestants must be registered and submit their selection no later than 10 minutes before the first post time at Vernon Downs. First post time on April 26 is 6:45 p.m.

Free online streaming video is also available on the Vernon Downs website so contestants can follow along with their selections each race night.

Vernon Downs’s historic 60^th Anniversary season resumes Friday with a 6:45 p.m. first post time.

 

HANA Harness Announces Handicapper Roster for 2013 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge

The Horseplayers Association of North America's (HANA) harness racing division, in association with the Hambletonian Society, Chicago Harness (Balmoral and Maywood Parks), The Meadowlands, Tioga Downs, and Vernon Downs are pleased to announce the handicappers and their respective charities for The 2013 Grand Circuit Handicapping Challenge which kicks off on Friday, April 25 at Northfield Park for the Courageous Lady.

In alphabetical order, here are the handicappers who are competing for their charities, hoping to share in over $3,000 in donations:

Garnet Barnsdale (Central Virginia Horse Rescue) - Garnet is the writer of Driveon blog at HorseRacingNation.com and hosts a harness racing radio show, North American Update on Blogtalkradio.com.

John Bowman (Helping Hearts Equine Rescue) – Bowman is a frequent guest handicapper at Tioga Downs.

Sally Hinckley (Rockin T Equine Rescue) – Hinckley is a long-time columnist on harness racing in Maine.  In addition she sets the morning line at Scarborough Downs and fairs with her selections show on telecasts.  Hinckley is a board member and secretary of the state’s Maine Harness Racing Promotion Board.

Mark McKelvie (Racer Placers) – Mark has long been around Mohawk/Woodbine Racetracks and was the winner of HANA's 2012 The Pen vs. The Chip Handicapping Challenge who is 'looking to prove his win was not a fluke.'

Rusty Nash (Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals) -  Nash has written for TrackMaster for 18 years in addition to his writing a column called The C-Note for the USTA one year.

Earl Paulson (Heading For Home) – Earl is a former handicapper for Sports Eye and was the second place finisher to Mark McKelvie in last year's The Pen vs. The Chip Handicapping Challenge.   In addition, Paulson is the moderator of MerryGoRoundRacing, a Yahoo group for people who enjoy Harness Racing.

Richard Scott (Changing Fates Equine Rescue) - Richard Scott is a former horse owner & trainer. Richard has competed in many handicapping contests and is looking forward to competing in the contest

Anne Stepien (Therapeutic Riding and Off-Track Rehabilitation) – Stepien has been a life-long fan of harness racing and once trained horses for Dr. Robert Johns after which she went on the Grand Circuit working for Gene Reigle.  She is looking forward to participating in a handicapping contest which 'doesn’t require you to handicap the entire card.'  For several years, Anne handicapped for Bobby Z's Picks at the Races.

Gordon Waterstone (Horse Lovers United) - Gordon Waterstone is associate editor of The Horseman And Fair World whose race picks over the years have appeared in several newspapers and tip sheets. He has competed and contended in several National Harness Handicapping Championships at the Meadowlands and is looking forward to a new challenge in this contest.

Notes:  Fans may follow the competition at HANA Harness’s Contest site with the handicapper's selections being posted no later than the morning of each competition date.   In addition to the named sponsors, HANA Harness would like to acknowledge Red Shores Charlottetown as a silver sponsor.  Additional sponsorships are welcome.

Huckabone Earns first pari-mutuel driving victory

Lulu's Boy paced the fastest mile of the fledgling harness season, while provisional driver Justin Huckabone earned his initial pari-mutual victory on Saturday night (April 13) at Vernon Downs.

Lulu's Boy (John MacDonald) posts the fastest mile of opening weekend

Competing in the 10^th event on Saturday's 13-race card, Lulu's Boy battled to a 1:52.1 score that made him the quickest of 23 winners during opening weekend of the track's 60^th anniversary season.

With newcomer John MacDonald doing the steering over a "good" track, Lulu's Boy raced out to the early lead, and then drafted along behind Checkinthebox, who showed the way through the middle portion of the mile.  The hard-hitting 6-year-old gelding eventually roared back to the front in the stretch and drew off for a 3-1/4 length triumph.

It marked the initial victory in four current outings for the quick-footed son of Art Major-DDI, who is owned and trained by Ronald MacDonald.  John MacDonald had won the previous race with the Andy Gardner owned and trained pacer Sadler Hanover (1:55.2).

Justin Huckabone gets his first career parimutuel victory

Huckabone, an 18-year-old son of long-time Vernon veteran Claude Huckabone, Jr., guided his pacer Powerful Love to a 1:57.3 career-best score in Saturday's last event.  The third-generation horseman urged the 4-year-old pacing mare to the front entering the final quarter and on to a solid one-length tally, her first in seven season's starts.  His dad conditions the bay daughter of Artiscape-Time Power.

Driver Roman Lopez, who earned a double here on Friday night, recorded the first driving triple of the meeting on Saturday, scoring with the pacers Shaolin Master (1:57.4), Veto Hanover (1:53.1) and trotter Hold On Tightly (1:59).  The 53-year-old horseman leads all drivers and trainers in first-place finishes after two Vernon programs. 

Defending driving and training champ Rick Plano also posted a pair of tallies during Saturday's competition.

DOWNS DOINGS—Josh Kinney, who last season tied with Michael Miller at six for most provisional driving victories at the Downs, became the meet's initial "P" reinsman to win in 2013 after he piloted the pacer Bullish Blue Chip to a 1:54.2 tally in Saturday's fifth event.  The 6-year-old gelding is owned by the Turn N Burn Stable and trained by Jessica Okusko…The Downs will continue Friday and Saturday evening racing (first post 6:45) only through May 4.  Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign will continue through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Opening Night of the track's 60th season

Aruba Vacation (Fern Paquet, Jr) takes the Opening Night co-feature

Aruba Vacation and High Speed Life were co-feature winners at Vernon Downs on Friday night (April 12) as the Central New York harness track launched its 60^th anniversary racing season.

On a rainy night and over a "sloppy" track, Aruba Vacation posted a front-striding 1:57 victory in Friday's opener, the week's $10,000 Open trot, while  High Speed Life forged the fastest mile of the evening, a 1:56.1 score in the $10,000 eighth event, the distaff Open pace.

Fern Paquet, Jr. drove the Howard Stables' Aruba Vacation to a 2-1/4 length triumph in Friday's first race.  The 6-year-old son of Dream Vacation is trained by Guy Howard.  Paquet and Howard also combined for a 1:57.1 victory with the trotter Grey Ice in Friday's $5,100 seventh session.

With trainer and part-owner Roman Lopez doing the teaming in Friday's eighth event, High Speed Life raced at or near the front before drawing off in the stretch for a 1-3/4 length score over the on-rushing Little Santamonica.  The victorious 7-year-old mare is also shared in ownership by Mitchell Frair.

Doubles were also recorded during the program by drivers Lopez (Mia Casino) and Chris Lems (Pop My Buttons and Ziegler Hanover, each trained by Dave Dewhurst).

The productive 12-year-old trotting gelding Scorpion Moon earned his 91^st career victory with a bold-going 1:59.3 victory for defending driving/training champ Rick Plano in the evening's $4,100 sixth session.  Co-owner Tracy Brainard conditions the career winner of $949,991 for her partner Andrew Herzog.

DOWNS DOINGS—In spite of the mid-30 degree temperature and off-track conditions, all 10 Opening Night races went in 1:59.3, or faster…The Downs will continue its opening weekend with Saturday's 13-race program that will get under way at 6:45 p.m...This year's post time is 10 minutes earlier than in previous years…The track's 90-card campaign will continue through Nov. 2… Additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.

Vernon Downs conducts its annual Media Night program

An eager gathering turned out on Tuesday evening (April 9), Media Night at Vernon Downs, as the Central New York harness track took another step toward the start of its 60^th anniversary live racing season at 6:45 this Friday night.

Following welcoming remarks by track officials, Vernon presented six qualifying races, the fastest of which was won by the veteran pacing mare Another Judy in 1:57.4.  Roman Lopez drove the brown daughter of Almahurst Frontier-Follow Me Home for owner and trainer Joseph Duh of Sauquoit.

"This is going to be an exciting season to celebrate 60 years of harness racing tradition at Vernon Downs,” said Director of Racing Scott Warren, who put together a 10-race card for Friday night.  The opening weekend will also include a live program at 6:45 on Saturday night. 

The Downs will operate on Friday and Saturday nights only through May 4.  Thursday programs will be added starting on May 9.

On the track, a stakes schedule worth more than $2.3 million will ensure that many of the sport's leading horses, drivers, trainers and owners will compete over Vernon's noted 7/8ths-mile oval that is currently the home of 22,685 miles in two-minutes or faster.

"There aren't too many tracks in North America that will offer a better stakes schedule than we will,” said Regional Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Jason Settlemoir.

Vernon's 90-card campaign will continue through November 2.

DOWNS DOINGS—Friday's program, which will be followed by a fireworks spectacular, will begin 10 minutes earlier than in recent years…There will be an additional qualifying session here this Friday at 11 a.m…Fans will notice many upgrades to the track this season, including a renovated tote-board in the infield…A complete racing and stakes calendar can be obtained on the Vernon Downs website (www.vernondowns.com)...Fans are also encouraged to visit the track’s Facebook page for additional promotional information.

First qualifying program at Vernon Downs for 2013

Seventy-eight Standardbreds were declared to start in Friday morning's initial qualifying session of the 60^th harness racing season at Vernon Downs.

41 pacers and 34 trotters actually participated in the 14 non-betting practice races over the track's 7/8ths-mile oval in preparation for Vernon's opening on Friday, April 12.  Three other harness horses were scratched.

The Turn N Burn Stable's veteran pacer Bullish Blue Chip compiled Friday's fastest clocking, a 1:58.1 winning performance in the eighth event.  Josh Kinney drove for trainer Jessica Okusko.

Friday's swiftest trotting mile was recorded by Man O Matic, who captured the day's fifth race in 1:59.1 with Claude Huckabone, III doing the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard and owner Howard Taylor.

The Downs will begin the first of its 90 programs at 6:45 p.m. next Friday night.  This year's first post is 10 minutes earlier than in 2012.  The eighth-month campaign is set to continue through Nov. 2.

DOWNS DOINGS—The Downs has slated additional qualifying sessions at 6:45 p.m. next Tuesday (April

 9) and at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (April 12)…Vernon will offer live racing on Friday and Saturday evenings only through May 4…Thursday nights will be added starting May 9…A complete racing and stakes calendar can be obtained on the Vernon Downs website (www.vernondowns.com)...Fans are also encouraged to visit the track's Facebook page for additional/promotional information.