Vernon
Downs is set to begin their 66th year of racing on Friday (April 19)
with a post time of 6:10 pm.
Opening
night will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway as well as a live
bugler. Also the popular “That’s My Driver” promotion. Five entries
will be randomly selected following Race 2. 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 4) with a special post time of 4:30 pm. Memorial
Day (May 27) 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 pm. The Zweig Memorial
races will take place on Friday (August 17) featuring the Zweig 3-year-old Colt
Trot ($370,000 est.) and 3-year-old Fillies Trot ($150,000 est.).
In
2018 John MacDonald and Jimmy Whittemore landied in a flat footed tie for top
driver. The two battled back and forth all year before ending with 115
wins each.
MacDonald
was once again top trainer at the Miracle Mile with 65 wins. He trained
the 2018 horse of the year Kabu. Owned by the J P Stables, Kabu (Valley
Victor), won eight of his 18 starts at Vernon Downs in 2018.
Vernon
Downs is happy to welcome new race caller Rich Mattei. The 11 race card
for Friday will feature Leg one of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series.
Post time is 6:10 p.m.
Photos
by Fotowon
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