MacDonald’s quest for four straight titles at Vernon starts Friday

Thursday, April 19, 2018 - by John Horne, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY --- John MacDonald has won three straight driving championships at Vernon Downs. He will begin his quest for four in a row as Vernon Downs opens for live racing on Friday (April 20) starting at 6:10 p.m.

MacDonald won 185 races last season. His main competition the last three years came from Chris Lems, who was runner-up all three years. Lems will be on hand opening day but will only be here part time this season.

Also returning is another former track champion, Jimmy Whittemore, who was third with 82 wins a year ago. Truman Gale (54) and Leon Bailey (30) round out the top five from last year.

MacDonald will also go for his third straight training title. He trained 57 winners in 2017. Andy Gardner returns to take another crack at the training title. He was just six wins behind MacDonald last season.

Opening day features free t-shirts and schedule magnets while they last. Fireworks will follow the 11-race card.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.

Vernon Downs to start live racing on Friday

Vernon, NY --- Vernon Downs is set to begin its 65th year of racing on Friday (April 20) with a new post time of 6:10 p.m.

Opening night will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway, plus the popular “That’s My Driver” promotion. Five entries will be randomly selected following race two. All will have a chance to win up to $140. At the conclusion of the evening’s racing will be a large fireworks display.

Highlights for the season include “Derby Day” featuring the live showing of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 5) with a special post time of 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day (May 28) features the Empire Classic finals for both 3-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old trotting colts. Each final is racing for a purse of $250,000 (est.) with a post time of 1:05 p.m. The Zweig Memorial races will take place on Friday (Aug. 17) featuring the 3-year-old colt trot ($370,000 est.) and 3-year-old filly trot ($150,000 est.).

The Million Dollar Ball Drop will take place on Saturday (Aug. 18). The Horseplay Car Giveaway featuring a 2017 Ford Fiesta will be on Saturday (Sept. 1). 

John MacDonald will attempt to defend the driving and training titles he won in 2017. MacDonald was top driver in 2017 with 185 wins on the season and top trainer with 57 wins on the year. He was also the owner and trainer of Oh My Joepa, who won Horse of the Year honors with nine wins.

The 11-race card for Friday will feature leg one of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series. A live bugler will be on hand for the festivities as well.

For more information go to www.vernondowms.com.

Vernon Downs Announces Highlights of Racing Season at Media Night

2018 season packed with racing promotions, entertainment

Vernon, N.Y. – April 17, 2018 – Local leaders and media partners gathered at the Gold Cup Buffet at Vernon Downs Tuesday for an exciting and informational peek into the upcoming racing season.

The event, which was complete with tours, photo opportunities, and interviews, detailed highlights of the 2018 racing season, including:

Kentucky Derby Day will be held at Vernon Downs on Saturday, May 5^th. Post time for racing is 4:30 p.m. Registration will begin for our fun Derby hat contest at 4 p.m., and food trucks will be on hand from 4 to 8 p.m. The day’s featured promotion is a $500 Derby Dream Bet.

This Memorial Day, fans can look forward to the Empire Breeders Classic Finals for the 3 year old Trotters, and an estimated $250,000 in purses. There will also be an American Flag baseball hat giveaway. Post time is 1:05 p.m.

There will be more than just racing to take in on Wednesday, July 4^th.  Post time is 6:10 p.m Guests will be able to catch a glimpse of a spectacular fireworks display and a fun-filled night of quality racing.

On Friday, July 27^th, it’s all about good music and a great cause at Vernon Downs! Wynonna and The Big Noise will perform a special benefit concert to benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. Wynonna will give the crowd at Vernon Downs an unforgettable experience delivering hits from her debut album with her new band, The Big Noise. All ticket sales will be donated to the organization and in addition, Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural has generously pledged to match all ticket proceeds. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert kicks off at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Zweig Stakes Day Highlights will take place on Friday, August 17^th. This exciting racing event will feature 3-year-old trotters and an estimated $630,000 in purses. There will also be a long sleeve shirt giveaway. Post time is 6:10 p.m.

Our highly anticipated Million Dollar Ball Drop will take place on Saturday, August 18^th. Post time is 6:10 p.m. The bal will drop during live racing. Fans have a chance to win up to $1,000,000.

There will be another major prize up for grabs during the Horseplay Car Giveaway on September 1^st. Post time is 6:10 p.m. Make a $1 donation and receive a rubber horse for your chance to toss, and enter to win a 2017 Ford Fiesta!

We appreciate the continued support of our media partners, patrons and dignitaries, and look forward to another great racing season at Vernon Downs!

In addition to its video lottery terminals, Vernon Downs offers live harness racing, concerts and other entertainment. Jeff Gural owns Vernon Downs in Vernon, NY and Tioga Downs in Nichols, NY.  In the last decade, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have created more than 1,000 family-sustaining jobs. For more information on Vernon Downs, please visit www.vernondowns.com.