Vernon Downs Hotel, Casino and Racing News

Study: Vernon Downs Casino &Hotel Creating Jobs for Oneida County

2012-02-16T13:22:00.004-05:00

553 Jobs Supported, Added Over $28.5 Million to Oneida County Economy & Generated Nearly $22 Million to State and Local Revenues Annually
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel Raceway added over $28.5 million to the Oneida County economy and generated nearly $22 million annually in revenues for the region and the state, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by an independent firm.

This analysis also estimates that 553 local, full and part-time jobs are supported by the Casino.

The New York Gaming Association (NYGA) released part one of the two-part report today to outline the positive economic impact gaming has had on the local economy.

A second report, which will be released in the next few weeks, will show projections for future regional job growth and revenues that will be generated if enhanced gaming is authorized in New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State legislature will consider passing a constitutional amendment to authorize enhanced gaming.

"Many residents depend on the jobs Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel provides, and we are pleased with the results of the study," Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel) said. "We are thankful for the success we have had and proud to be an economic asset to our community."

According to estimates from the analysis, in 2011 Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel provided 553 local full and part-time jobs, with 306 of those jobs representing direct employment by the casino.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel supported 161 jobs for racing and breeding.

Wages and salaries for employees totaled more than $8 million.

Additional findings from the report show that in 2011, Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel:
• Accounted for over $28.5 million in economic output for the region;
• Reinvested more than $1.6 million into the local economy with the purchase of goods and services (including construction) from businesses in Oneida County;
• Accounted directly and indirectly for nearly $1.3 million in revenues for Oneida County municipalities, and;
• Generated over $19 million in State revenues, of which more than $14.6 million went towards education in New York State, which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 210 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.

The nine Racetrack Casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:
• Batavia Downs Casino
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
• Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway
• Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack
• Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds
• Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Saratoga Casino & Raceway
• Tioga Downs Casino
• Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel

The New York Gaming Association members have contributed $1.96 billion to the State in 2011.

Over $830.5 million has gone to fund education in New York State which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 11,900 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.

The nine Racetrack Casinos employ nearly 5,500 New Yorkers directly and have created a total of 17,400 jobs both directly and indirectly across the state.

The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis.

Kindergarten Classic Series Expanded

2012-02-06T09:57:00.004-05:00

The Kindergarten Classic series for 2-year-old trotters has risen steadily in popularity over its five-year history.

Conceived by Jeff Gural with the idea of offering races for 2YOs to gain racing experience and as an alternative to the major stakes, the series has seen both nominations and the final purse increase each year.

In 2011, the colt final went for $200,500 and the fillies for $182,500.

For 2012, the Kindergarten expands from four to five legs and returns to The Meadowlands for the first two.

The $10,000 guaranteed series legs begin on Thursday, July 26 and come right back the next Thursday at The Big M.

Observing the busy schedule for various sire stakes programs through the month of August and early September, the series resumes at The Red Mile for legs three and four on consecutive Thursdays, Sept 13 and 20.

Skipping forward to avoid conflict with The Red Mile Grand Circuit, the last leg will be on Friday, October 19 and the $175,000 estimated final on October 26, both at Vernon Downs.

A minimum of two leg starts is required to be eligible for the finals.

Nomination requires a payment of $600 on March 15 and another $600 to sustain comes due on April 15.

A $250 entry fee is due for each leg.

There is no entry fee to race in the final.

Nomination forms are available at the Vernon Downs website.

Gym Tan Laundry won the 2011 Kindergarten Classic for colts and geldings while Ladi Andi won the fillies division.

Vernon Downs to Host Deployment Dinner

2012-01-25T11:40:00.003-05:00

Vernon Downs Casino is honored to host a special dinner on Thursday, January 26, for soldiers deploying to Kuwait.

Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Racetrack), will provide a Casino Classic Buffet dinner for 200 including members from the Company and their families.

Many of the guests will also be enjoying an overnight stay at the casino, with 92 hotel rooms compliments of Vernon Downs.

According to Mr. Gural, "I believe our soldiers have done an unbelievable job in keeping our country safe after 9/11 and we are happy to host this event in appreciation of the sacrifice these men and women are continuing to make for all of us."

During their time in Kuwait, the Company will be performing a security force mission, rather than a combat mission.

They will proudly be supporting a variety of security missions at various locations within Kuwait.

While deployed, the Company will have a unique opportunity to train in Kuwait, and will participate with other Active, Guard, and International units to perform demanding training at every available opportunity.

Prior to deployment, the soldiers will spend a short period of time in Mississippi training on additional tasks and equipment.

They expect to be away from home for approximately one year.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center, including state of the art Simulcast Room and new casually themed Mr. G’s Food and Spirits restaurant.

Changes made to New York Sire Stakes in 2012

2012-01-25T10:29:00.004-05:00

Some significant changes have been made to the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) racing program for 2012.

Replacing the NY Late Closer program is the brand new Excelsior series, which will include the historic New York State Fair events.

For the upcoming season, the NY State Fair will not require a separate payment.

To make your horse eligible for the NY State Fair races you must make the February 15 and April 15 payments for the Excelsior series to the Ag Fund of New York State.

The purse for the State Fair races will be $12,000 plus entry fees ($100) and also afford those racing in the events the opportunity to earn points toward the $45,000est. Excelsior series finals.

The NY State Fair for three-year-old trotters will be raced at Vernon Downs on Friday, May 25 serving as a prep for the 2012 Empire Breeders Classic trots to be raced the next two weeks.

The three-year-old pacers will race at Tioga Downs on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

The two-year-olds will race at Vernon on August 24 & 25 as part of an exciting weekend featuring the new format $700,000E Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial events and the $50,000 Drivers' Championship on Sunday, August 26.

Stakes and race schedule set for 2012 at Vernon & Tioga Downs

2012-01-20T10:32:00.002-05:00

Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have finalized their 2012 race and stakes schedule for the upcoming race season (pending regulatory approval).

Tioga Downs will hold 61 live racing days in 2012, set to begin on Saturday, May 5th (Kentucky Derby Day) in Nichols, New York.

Highlighting the 2012 stakes calendar at Tioga Downs is the $200,000 estimated Artiscape Pace for open mare pacers and the $200,000 estimated Bettor's Delight Open Pace.

Both races are scheduled for Sunday, June 10.

Tioga Downs will once again host the first leg of Pacing's Triple Crown, the Cane Pace, with eliminations on Sunday, August 26th and the final on Monday, September 3rd.

The Empire Breeders' Classic for 3-year-old New York bred pacers will be held later in the year, as in years past, with eliminations on Sunday, August 5th, and the $250,000 estimated finals being held a week later on Sunday, August 12th.

Other marquee events held at Tioga Downs in 2012 will include: Tompkins-Geers, a leg of the Miss Versatility, The Shady Daisy, and the Historic Stakes.

Vernon Downs will kick off its 2012 race season on Friday, April 27th to open up its 90-day race meet from April 27th through November 3rd.

Vernon Downs will be the 2012 host of American Racing and Entertainment's marquee event, the $50,000 Drivers' Championship, which has been held at Tioga Downs since it inception in 2007.
The Drivers' Championship will share the spotlight at Vernon Downs with the $700,000 estimated Zweig Memorial Trot, on Sunday, August 26th.

The $200,000 estimated Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot and $200,000 estimated Credit Winner Open Trot will also return to Vernon Downs in 2012 on Friday, September 7th.

The $500,000 estimated Empire Breeders' Classic for New York bred trotters will headline the month of June at Vernon Downs, with the eliminations on Friday, June 1st and the $250,000 estimated finals a week later on Friday, June 8th.

Also scattered around the 2012 stakes schedule at Vernon Downs is the Historic Stakes along with legs and the final of the $175,000 Kindergarten Classic.

"We pride ourselves at Tioga & Vernon on the racing product and promotions we offer our fans during the summer months in upstate New York, and look forward to what we hope will be the best year yet for Tioga and Vernon Downs," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.

For more information on Tioga Downs or Vernon Downs, please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com.

Zweig Memorial Improved for 2012

2012-01-16T10:40:00.004-05:00

The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotters will undergo several important changes for this year's edition.

The conditions for the race have been revised from split divisions to a format that puts the top nine money winners for 2012 into the main event with a consolation for the next nine that enter.

The same formula will be used for the Zweig Filly trot.

This allows the purse for the main open event to be estimated at $400,000 and the main filly race at $170,000.

The consolation purses are $80,000 Estimated for the open and $40,000 Estimated for the fillies.

To facilitate the large purse increase, the payments have been raised and the added money has been doubled from previous years to a minimum of $150,000.

The 2012 races have been moved to Vernon Downs 7/8's mile oval, generally regarded as one of the very finest racing surfaces in the game.

The Zweig Memorial will be featured on a special Sunday, August 26 matinee card that will include the $50,000 annual Drivers' Challenge.

The scheduling of the race will allow the cream of the crop to come to Vernon for the Zweig one week after the Colonial and then have an important open week before the Canadian Trotting Classic elims.

The New York State Fair events for two-year-olds will be raced on Friday and Saturday of Zweig weekend, creating a showcase of the finest our sport has to offer.

"We are trying to recreate the fun weekend we all had when the Zweig was raced at the State Fairgrounds along with other New York sire stake races," said American Racing Chairman Jeff Gural. "Having our hotel on site with its many recent improvements along with the new format for the Zweig and the always exciting Drivers' Championship, we are hoping that we will have a big turnout."

The cooperation of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York and Mrs. Anne Zweig were integral to executing the improvements in the Zweig Memorial.

The first sustaining payment for the 2012 races comes due by February 15.

Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn won a division of the Zweig Memorial last year when the event was raced at Tioga Downs.

Nomination forms and conditions are available at the HHBNYS web site.

Revenue up at Vernon Downs in 2011

2012-01-16T09:47:00.007-05:00

American Racing and Entertainment, which operates two Racetracks and Casinos in upstate New York, showed impressive gains in numbers in 2011 at both Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs.

Vernon Downs posted strong increases in business in 2011 with casino credits played at the upstate casino increasing 14.1% ($64 million) over 2010, with net revenue for the casino posting a 2.6% increase in business, good for $1.1 million dollars.

The Food and Beverage department also posted strong gains in 2011, increasing business 18.3% over 2010.

Vernon Downs also had traffic at the property increase sharply during 2011, with attendance being up 11.6% over 2010.

Vernon Downs' significant increases in casino play were helped with the addition of the tax-exempt free play program that began in April 2011.

Also driving business in 2011 for Vernon Downs was the opening of the $8.9 million dollar hotel expansion that included a multi-purpose convention space for concerts, weddings, catering, and receptions, along with a new state-of-the-art simulcasting facility, and the luxurious Mr. G's Food and Spirits restaurant.

Tioga Downs also posted a 9.8% increase in casino credits played ($66.5 million) for 2011 when compared to 2010, with net revenue for the casino up 7.5% or $4 million dollars.

The food and beverage numbers at Tioga Downs also saw a large increase, due in part to a $5 buffet promotion it held the last quarter of the year.

The Food and Beverage number closed out 2011 with a 7.7% increase.

The Tioga Downs gift shop showed the largest increase in business in 2011 with a 92.7% increase over 2010.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center. It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

Vernon Downs Announces $5 Buffets

2012-01-09T13:39:00.004-05:00

In these difficult economic times, everybody is looking for a good value, and Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is ready to help.

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Champions Buffet at Vernon Downs is offering its "Lincoln's Winkin' $5 Buffet" for Lunch and Dinner. This is a substantial discount over the regular price of $10.99 for lunch and $13.99 for dinner on these days.

According to Jeff Gural, owner of Vernon Downs, "We realize that times are tough, and we felt dropping our buffet prices in Champions (inside the casino,) as well as prices in Mr. G's Restaurant (just steps away from the gaming floor in the new event Center,) would be a helpful gesture to our patrons, as well as a way to thank them for their continued support."

The "Lincoln's Winkin' $5 Buffet" is currently scheduled to continue Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday through the month of March. Patrons must be a Your Club member to receive the discount.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events.

The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center.

It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

Top 5 Races of 2011

2011-12-29T13:25:00.004-05:00

With 2011 winding down, we decided to look back at the 58th season of racing at Vernon Downs and select our top 5 races of the year.

#5 New York Sire Stakes - July 9th
She was the darling of the summer and See You at Peelers brought her gaudy winning streak to Central New York in early July. Fresh off her wins in Canada, See You at Peelers moved to the front around the first turn and never looked back, pacing under the wire in a track record time of 1:51.1 with driver Marcus Johansson. It was her 19th straight win and her second track record at Vernon Downs.

#4 Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot - September 2nd
Labor Day weekend kicked off with the biggest night of racing on the Vernon Downs calendar. The co-main event featured North America's fastest trotting mares and the ladies did not disappoint. The field included multiple divisional champion Buck I St Pat, track record holder Autumn Escapade and defending race champion Yursa Hanover. But a new star was fastest when Action-Broadway trotted fastest to win in 1:54.2 with Vernon native Brian Sears in the sulky. Action-Broadway was voted a Dan Patch divisional award winner.

#3 Turn Back the Clock Rewind Races - November 5th
When the calendar reached November, the clocks were turned back an hour and so were the races at Vernon Downs. For the first time in track history, two races were conducted in the opposite direction. Race Secretary and track announcer Scott Warren dubbed the two races, one trot and one pace, the Turn Back the Clock Rewind Races. Both events were conducted at 7/8 mile. Famous Image and Mike Eaton were victorious in the trot while Brian Connor and Noble Wabbit took the pace.

#2 Empire Breeders Classic Final - May 30th
The colt trotters stepped out on the track on Memorial Day chasing a big payday. Dejarmbro finished 2011 with more than $900,000 in earnings, but he was upset in the final stride by the late Whatever It Takes in a thrilling renewal of the EBC.

#1 Credit Winner Open Trot - September 2nd
San Pail was nearly flawless in 2011, winning 14 times from 16 starts with earnings of more than $1.2 million. One of his 14 wins came at Vernon Downs when he got past Lucky Jim in the shadow of the wire to win the Credit Winner in an all-time track record time of 1:51.1. Randy Waples traveled in from Canada for his regular seat behind San Pail, who has been named the top aged trotter and is the favorite to take down Horse of the Year honors. For now, his performance in the Credit Winner is good for our top race of 2011.

Vernon Downs Donates to Toys For Tots

2011-12-27T14:04:00.004-05:00

Vernon Downs today announced they have donated $2,500 worth of toys to Toys For Tots.

Every Monday in December, guests were able to donate points they accrued from their gaming activities.

Together, Vernon Downs and their guests were able to fill a truck full of toys which were presented days before Christmas to representatives of the Marines and the Syracuse Branch of Toys For Tots.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events.

The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a recently expanded Events Center.

It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

Vernon concludes season with upswing in handle

2011-11-28T15:42:00.004-05:00

Vernon Downs recently concluded its 58th season of live racing with impressive increases in wagering handle, bucking nationwide trends.

Live on-track handle increased 4% over 2010 while export handle went up a staggering 35%.

"We're very pleased with the successful 2011 meet and would like to thank our customers and horsemen for their support throughout the year," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing and Simulcast. "Our substantial increase in live and export handle shows the continued growth of a quality racing product that has been well-received both on track and throughout North American simulcast facilities and advanced deposit wagering platforms."

Racing Secretary Scott Warren was instrumental in putting together full, competitive races throughout the 90-day season, his first at the Central New York oval.

An all-time track record performance by San Pail in the $218,000 Credit Winner Open Trot topped the list of impressive stakes performances during the meet.

The 7-year-old, likely Horse of the Year, posted a 1:51.1 win over former champion Lucky Jim for co-owner/trainer Rodney Hughes and partner Glenn Van Camp.

Other stakes highlights of the season included a track record win by See You At Peelers, her 19th straight win during her much celebrated 22-race winning streak.

Kenneth Sommer's Action-Broadway won the meet's premier mare trot, the Muscle Hill, in 1:54.2.

Gym Tan Laundry broke the track record for 2-year-old gelding trotters with his 1:55.3 score in the $200,500 Kindergarten Classic for the Adam Victor & Son Stable and Lady Andi took the $182,500 filly division in 1:57.3 for trainer Larry Rathbone.

Racing returns to Vernon Downs in April 2012, pending regulatory approval.
For more information on Vernon Downs, visit their website at www.vernondowns.com.

2011 Racing Season Final Driver and Trainer Standings

2011-11-20T00:26:00.004-05:00

Driver Standings:
1. Jimmy Whittemore 108 wins
2. Rick Plano 81 wins
3. Frank Milby 78 wins
4. Chris Lems 67 wins
5. Claude Huckabone, III 43 wins
6. Howard Okusko, Jr 38 wins
6. Roman Lopez 38 wins
8. Frank Davis 35 wins
9. Jack Rice 32 wins
10. Brian Connor 31 wins
10. Leon Bailey 31 wins

Trainer Standings:
1. Tracy Brainard 56 wins
2. Rick Plano 49 wins
3. Jessica Okusko 35 wins
4. Dave Dewhurst 33 wins
5. Roman Lopez 29 wins
6. Dennis Whittemore 28 wins
7. Dan Daley 25 wins

Vernon Downs Closes out the 2011 Racing Season

2011-11-20T00:11:00.004-05:00

The fleet-footed pacer Western Tsunami wired five feisty foes in 1:51.3 to capture the $10,000 featured eighth event as Vernon Downs closed out its 58th live harness racing season on Saturday night (Nov. 19).

With Brandon Simpson sulky-sitting for trainer Tracy Brainard in the 90-card meeting's final Open contest, Western Tsunami ($7.00) sped through splits of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:23.4 en route to a three-quarter length decision over Restless Yankee.

Saturday's score was the first at the Downs this year, the fourth in 2011 and 39th all-time for the 8-year-old son of Western Hanover-Ron's Girl, who is shared in ownership by Brainard and her partner Andrew Herzog.

The win pushed the gritty gelding's lifetime earnings to more than $307,800.

Former provisional driving champion Leon Bailey earned three victories during Saturday's card, while drivers Simpson, Brian Connor and trainer Brainard were each credited with a pair of first-place finishes.

During Saturday's 10-race card, former track driving champions John Stark, Jr. and the late Gary Gibson were inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association's Hall of Fame for 2011.
Jason Settlemoir, vice-president of racing and simulcasting for both Vernon and its sister track, Tioga Downs, and a 2011 UNYC Hall of Fame inductee himself, presented championship checks to the meet's leading driver, Jimmy Whittemore (108 wins), and trainer, Brainard (56 victories).

Also recognized during the program was Track Superintendent Tony Rossi, whose well-manicured seven-eighths-mile oval yielded 1,079 miles in 2:00 for faster during the April 15 to Nov. 19 campaign, including the fastest trotting mile in the track's history, a 1:51.1 effort by San Pail on Sept. 2.

The Vernon all-time 1:49.4 pacing standard was equaled for the third time in 2011 by Go Go Solano on Nov. 12.

A total of 15 track records were set or equaled during the seven-month meeting.

The pacer Hay Goodlooking was the winningest equine of 2011 locally with eight wins, while DL Cruiser and Enlightened tied as the top race-winning trotters with seven scores each.

"We had a very good race meeting this year at the Downs," said Settlemoir during the program. "I'd like to thank all of our customers and the horsemen who support us and the great sport of harness racing year after year in central New York. We look forward to another live meeting starting in mid-April next year, pending regulatory approval."

DOWNS DOINGS - Settlemoir also wished the track's fans and horsemen a happy and healthy holiday season... Truman Gale emerged as Vernon's top provisional driver for 2011 with 20 triumphs... All of the track's simulcasting during the off-season (afternoons and evenings) will be conducted in Vernon's hotel simulcasting center... A fireworks display was conducted after the evening's 10th race... Additional information regarding the track, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Mr. Avalanche Scoots by favored Scorpion Moon; Lems Wins 4

2011-11-19T16:19:00.003-05:00

Mr. Avalanche brushed by the favorite Scorpion Moon in late stretch to win Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

With Chris Lems handling the lines for trainer Paul Drante, Jr., Mr. Avalanche ($10.80) drafted along in the pocket behind the mile-cutting, crowd choice Scorpion Moon until the final furlong, and then scurried to the front to win the week's Open trot by a neck in 1:57.

Friday's first-place finish was the fourth at the Downs this season, the seventh in 2011 and the 12th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Epoque Effe.

Jeremy Godfrey owns the career-winner of $65,274.

The win was one of four during Friday's 12-race card for Lems, currently fourth on the meet's driving chart with 67 tallies.

The 24-year-old reinsman captured the Early Double with the pacer On That Note and trotter Brilliant Thunder, and then won the fourth event with the trotter Rhythmic Moves before earning his initial four-bagger of Vernon's current campaign.

DL Cruiser (1:59.1) and Enlightened (1:59) each tied at seven for most trotting victories at the meet after finishing first in the evening's eighth and 12th races, respectfully.

The eight-time winning pacer Hay Goodlooking is tops in equine scores with one program remaining in the track's 58th season.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional drivers Truman Gale, Josh Kinney and Michael Miller posted their 20th, eighth and sixth wins, respectively, during Friday's program... The Downs will conclude its 2011 live-racing season with tomorrow night's 10- race card that includes the week's $10,000 Open pace in race eight. First post will be at 6:55 p.m. Former Downs driving champions John Stark, Jr. and the late Gary Gibson will be inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the U. S. Harness Writers Association's Hall of Fame during Saturday's program. The harness track's 90-card campaign will end with a fireworks display following the evening's last race... Additional information regarding the track, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vernon Downs gears up for closing weekend

2011-11-17T16:21:00.003-05:00

Vernon Downs is set to kick off its final weekend of live racing action this weekend beginning on Friday night with a 12-race card at 6:55 pm.

The 90-day race meet then concludes on Saturday night with 10 races beginning at 6:55 pm, followed by a fireworks display immediately following live racing.

"We have had a very good race meet this year at Vernon Downs and would like to thank all of our customers who support us year after year in the Vernon area," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. "We look forward to another great race season in 2012, and would like to wish all of our customers and horsemen a happy and healthy holiday season."

Saturday night's 10-race card will feature a six horse $10,000 Open pace led by Up Front Tim T from the Mark Ford Stable.

Coming off of two recent starts in the $75,000 claiming ranks, Up Front Tim T sports a record of six wins in 28 seasonal outings good for earnings of more than $106,000.

Vernon Downs leading reinsman, Jimmy Whittemore, will do the driving from post position number one.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Go Go Solano Ties All Ages Track Record

2011-11-14T10:02:00.003-05:00

Go Go Solano tied the all-time track pacing standard at Vernon Downs with a blistering 1:49.4 performance on a clear, but chilly Saturday evening (Nov. 12).

A 1:51 winner here at age three, Go Go Solano was assigned the outside eight post by racing secretary Scott Warren for Saturday's $10,000 Open contest.

With Greg Merton doing the teaming for trainer Jordan Rubin in race eight, the favorite Go Go Solano ($3.40) battled with Mystical Valentine for the lead past a :27-second opening quarter, took command going to the half (timed in :55.2), drew off past the third split in 1:22.4, and then tossed in a :27-second closing kicker to win by 7-3/4 lengths.

The sizzling showing tied Vernon's 58-year-old pacing standard that was set by My Little Dragon in 2008 and equaled by Stonebridge Wish in 2010.

In addition to dropping his personal best time by 1-1/5 seconds, the fast paced mile tied the track's aged pacing standard that Stonebridge Wish established on June 5th of last year.

It also marked the 16th track record performance of the season at the central New York 7/8ths-mile oval.

In addition to being his first Vernon score of 2011, it was the fifth season's victory and 14th lifetime win for the 5-year-old son of Bettor's Delight-Real Excitement, who is owned by Richard Lombardo and Howard Taylor.

The rapid-striding gelding increased his career earnings to $609,605.

Go Go Solano's effort was one of four first-place finishes during Saturday's 11-race card for driver Merton, who also captured the seventh race with the pacer You Bet Your Glass, the ninth event with the pacer One More Day and the final contest with the pacer Spartacus Jim.

Driver Roman Lopez and trainer Arnie Marks were also credited with doubles during the track's 88th program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional driver Chris McCracken earned his fourth win at the meet following a gate-to-wire effort behind Bill McCracken's trotter Crestwood Katch Me in race six... Only two more live racing programs remain in Vernon's 58th season... The Downs will offer live racing again next Friday and Saturday, ending its 90-card campaign on Nov. 19 with a spectacular fireworks display. First post each evening will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Scorpion Moon battles snow to win for 79th time

2011-11-12T07:47:00.003-05:00

The veteran trotter Scorpion Moon earned his 79th career victory with a 2:00 triumph in Friday night's $8,000 featured eighth race at Vernon Downs.

Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard as the favorite Scorpion Moon ($5.30) rallied from last at the half to fifth at the ¾-mile marker.

Competing over a track rated "good" due to persistent snow and rain, the 10-year-old gelding closed from second in the stretch to catch and pass the pace-setting fourth wagering choice, Unshakeable, by one length at the finish.

Friday's tight tally was the third this season (all at the Downs) for the son of Armbro Scorpion-Angie's Nugget, who is shared in ownership by Brainard and Andrew Herzog.

The gritty bay battler is currently a career winner of more than $867,500.

Two-time defending driving champion Jimmy Whittemore delivered his ninth triple of the 87-program meeting, while top trainer Brainard, along with owner Herzog, scored twice during Friday's 10-race card.

Huckabone, III and Joe Nassimos also posted twin driving victories.

DOWNS DOINGS - With three programs remaining in the track's 58th season, Whittemore has 107 driving victories, while Brainard, seeking her second conditioning crown in a row and third overall, has 54 first-place credits... Top provision driver Truman Gale hiked his win total at the meet to 19 after a score behind Greg Robinson's trotter Enlightened in Friday's second race. The victory tied the 9-year-old gelding with Canouan and DL Cruiser at six for most local trotting tallies thus far in 2011... Tomorrow night's 11-race line-up, which includes the week's $10,000 Open pace in race eight, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Vernon will offer live racing on Friday and Saturday next weekend, ending its 90-card campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Stark and Gibson to Upstate NY Hall Representing Vernon Downs

2011-11-09T13:41:00.004-05:00

The Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is proud to announce that John Stark, Jr. and the late Gary Gibson will be inducted to their Upstate New York Harness Racing Hall of Fame representing Vernon Downs.

John Stark, Jr. comes from a harness racing family. His late father, John, and sisters Cindy, Laurie and Jodi have all had successful careers in the sport. He started working in the barn when he was only 4 years old and began his driving career in 1977 when he was 18. Stark was synonymous with Vernon Downs through the mid-1980s. He was the top provisional driver in both 1977 and 1978. He later won both the dash-winning (124) and percentage (.350) driving titles in 1985. He added dash titles in 1986 (158), 1987 (127) and 1988 (188), as well as additional percentage championships in 1987 (.307), 1988 (.358), 1997 (.472), 2001 (.471) and 2003 (.449). He was also the track’s top trainer for wins in 1987 (64) and 1988 (76), and percentage in 1987 (.362) and 1988 (.365).

Stark raced at several tracks after leaving Vernon in 1989 and was equally successful wherever he went. He captured a dash title at Muskegon and both dash and earnings titles at Fairmount Park and Saratoga Raceway.

Stark achieved his greatest success in the sport training and driving the remarkable pacing filly Bunny Lake. At two, the daughter of Precious Bunny was flawless in NYSS action, capturing four legs and then going wire-to-wire in 1:58.3 in the $150,000 final.

In her 3-year-old campaign Bunny Lake scored 18 consecutive victories and earned $1,146,219, the most money (at the time) ever banked by a pacing female in a single season. Stark drove her to victories in the $150,000 New York Sire Stakes Final and the $812,292 Breeders Crown Final. Bunny Lake was selected as the 2001 Horse of the Year, as well as Pacer of the Year and 3-year-old filly pacer of the year.

Bunny Lake retired with 47 career wins and $2,843,476 in purse money. Her lifetime mark was 1:49.

Other top horses over the years for Stark include Total Composure, Commanche N, Battle Front, Teeth Of The Dog, Getting Personal, Adadot, Mimz, Hamilton White and Algiers Hall.

To date, John Stark, Jr. has amassed 4,088 driving wins and $20,961,807 in purse money, as well as 1,328 training wins and $15,675,191 in purse money. He is the consummate horseman and is still going strong.

Gary Gibson followed his uncle, Avery, into the Standardbred sport. After working for both the Fred Haslip Stable and the Webster Farms training facilities in western New York, Gibson began his driving career on the Buffalo Raceway/Batavia Downs circuit. Following success at those half-mile tracks, the young trainer/driver made a seamless transition to Vernon Downs’ chute-attached three-quarter-mile oval in the early 1970s with the stated goal of becoming a Grand Circuit reinsman.

Developing into one of Vernon’s most sought after catch-drivers, Gibson went on to capture four race-winning titles at the Downs (1979-1981 and 1997). He also ranks among the central New York track’s all-time leaders in total victories and 2:00 driving credits. In 1991, his best year statistically, “Gibby’s” black, gold and green colors visited the winner’s circle 125 times and he earned $396,469 in purses.

Gibson achieved both his Grand Circuit goal and his ambition to drive in harness racing’s top trotting race, the Hambletonian, when he piloted JD’s Tryst in the second division of the 1982 edition. He also achieved notoriety and success in the New York Sires Stakes program.

Gibson’s quiet personality translated well to his driving style. He had a natural ability to sit patiently with a trotter, but he was equally adept with pacers. Respected and well-liked by his fellow horsemen, Gibson’s motto was “You’re only as good as your last drive.” He was noted for his pleasant, easy-going personality, quick wit and his unique laugh.

Some of the many recognizable horses that Gibson drove include Honest Hobby Horse, Romy The Governor, Midnight Occasion, White Rock Fella, JJ’s Apollo and Rapunzel’s Star.

During his career, he amassed 2,999 wins and $7,279,567 in purse money.

Gary Gibson died Oct. 6, 2006, at the Veteran’s Hospital in Syracuse following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 62.

The ceremony for John Stark, Jr. and the family of Gary Gibson will be held trackside at Vernon Downs on Saturday (Nov. 19).

You can view pictures and biographies of all 21 inductees of the Upstate New York Harness Racing Hall of Fame by clicking this link.

"Rewind Races" Highlight Saturday Night card

2011-11-06T07:18:00.005-05:00

Mystical Valentine delivered a strong stretch kick to capture Saturday night's $10,000 Open pace, while the trotter Famous Image and pacer Noble Wabbit each established Vernon Downs records for going 7/8ths-of-a-mile - the wrong way around the track.

With Leon Bailey steering for trainer Dave Dewhurst, Mystical Valentine ($16.60) idled in second early in the ninth race, got shuffled back to third around the final turn, and then unleashed a spirited speed-spurt in the final furlong to post a 1:53.1 victory over the favorite, Restless Yankee.

The 5-year-old gelding's three-quarter-length tally was his second in succession, sixth at the meet, eighth this season and 21st all-time.

Philip K. Hale owns the bay son of Dream Work-Sneakheravalentine, who increased his career bankroll to more than $319,200.

In conjunction with daylight savings ending, Racing Secretary Scott Warren carded both a trot and a pace to be raced once around Vernon's 7/8ths mile oval in the opposite direction from harness racing's counter-clockwise standard.

The fifth and sixth events on Saturday's 12-race card were dubbed the "Turn Back The Clock Rewind Races."

Famous Image, owned, trained and driven by Michael Eaton, collected his fourth win in a row after a 1:47 effort in the $5,000 fifth race, while Noble Wabbit, owned, trained and driven by Brian Connor, snared his second score in succession with a 1:42.3 tally in the $5,000 sixth event.

The record-setting performances marked the 15th time that new standards have been authored during the track's 58th season.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore earned his eighth triple in 86 programs, while Dan Daley, who carded a "hat-trick" here on Friday night, secured a pair of Saturday scores.

DOWNS DOINGS - Only four more live programs remain during the track's 58th campaign. Vernon will offer a Friday and Saturday schedule only for the final two weekends of its 90-card campaign, ending live racing on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Yankee Manny Wins Friday Night feature for Davis

2011-11-04T23:22:00.003-04:00

Yankee Manny survived an overland journey to snare a 1:57.2 triumph in Friday night's $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Facing seven formidable foes, Yankee Manny ($7.80) moved up steadily from fifth at the quarter to third at the half and second entering the stretch, building up a two-length lead in the process.

The Dan Daley-driven Hallin Cash escaped from traffic in the final eighth and unleashed a strong stretch brush, but came up a half-length short of the winner at the finish.

The favorite, Scorpion Moon, finished third.

The win was the fourth at the meet, eighth this season and 19th all-time for Yankee Manny, a 5-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet, who is owned by Brian P. Green.

He's now a career-earner of $98,902.

Yankee Manny's determined effort provided trainer/driver Frank Davis with his eighth two-win sulky-sitting outing at the 85-program meeting.

He had won the previous race with the pacer Pounne De Luxe (1:55.3).

Daley, who captured the evening's first two events with the trotters Spin Spanky Spin (1:59.1) and Double D Fine (1:59.3, added another first-place finish with the trotter Tap Tap Dance in the fourth event to secure his first triple of the track's 58th season.

DOWNS DOINGS - First-time Vernon starter Ryan Lems won Friday's third race with the pacer Bam's Hottie, who paid $115.50 for finishing first. Lems is the cousin of Downs regular Chris Lems... Only five more live programs remain during the track's 58th campaign... Saturday's 12-race line-up includes a pair of 7/8ths-mile races going clockwise around the track, plus the week's $10,000 Open pace in race nine... Vernon has switched to a Friday and Saturday schedule only for the final three weekends of its 90-card campaign, ending live racing on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vernon Downs Turns Back the Clock and the Races

2011-11-04T10:30:00.003-04:00

With the upcoming daylight savings upon us this weekend, Vernon Downs race secretary, Scott Warren, has decided to shake things up and for the first time in the track's 58-year history, two races on Saturday night will be raced in the opposite direction.

Dubbed the "Turn back the clock" rewind race, eight trotters and eight pacers will race at a distance of 7/8th's of a mile in the opposite direction as they normally go.

The rewind races have been carded as race number five for the trotters and race number six for the pacers, each for a purse of $5,000.

"We had a great response from our horsemen at Vernon for these two events, and are looking forward to giving our fans something a little different to come see this weekend at Vernon Downs," said race secretary Scott Warren.

Vernon Downs has switched to its November schedule of two race days a week, and kicks off its two-day race weekend on Friday, November 4th with a post time of 6:55 pm.

Closing night of the 2011 race season at Vernon Downs is on Saturday, November 19th and will be capped off with a fireworks display following live racing.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Hay Goodlooking Becomes winningest horse at Vernon Downs

2011-11-01T11:22:00.003-04:00

Maryann Plano's Hay Goodlooking became the winningest equine performer after 84 season's offerings at Vernon Downs following his 1:53.1 score in Saturday night's $10,000 featured Open pace.

Facing six select rivals in race nine, the favored Hay Goodlooking ($4.60) went right to the front for driver/trainer Rick Plano and cut fractions of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:24.3 before earning a neck triumph over the fast-closing newcomer El Ringer.

While turning in the fastest mile during Saturday's chilly 10-race card, Hay Goodlooking secured his second win in a row and eighth at the meeting, giving him a one-win edge over fellow side-wheeler Rosa Villa.

It marked the ninth win in 2011 and the 25th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Art Major-Monique's Legacy, who bumped his career bankroll to more than $405,300.

The win was one of three during the evening for Plano, who finished his Vernon stay with 81 first-place driving wins and 49th training tallies, both figures good enough for second place on the meet's driving and conditioning charts, respectively.

He will be shipping his superb stable to Florida's Pompano Park early next week.

Maryann Plano's pacer Dot's Bigboy also finished first during the program, giving her an owner double, while leading driver Jimmy Whittemore and trainer/driver Roman Lopez also delivered a pair of victories.

DOWNS DOINGS - Whittemore raised his win total to 101 following catch-driving scores behind the pacers Major's Centerfold and Spartacus Jim... Canouan and DL Cruiser are tops in trotting tallies at the meet with six scores each... There were three dead-heat finishes during the evening, two for second place... The Vernon based 2-year-old colt trotter Royal Shyster finished fifth in his class with trainer Dan Daley driving during Saturday night's Breeders Crown competition at Canada's Woodbine Racetrack... Only six more live programs remain during the track's 58th season... Vernon will switch to a Friday and Saturday schedule only for the final three weekends of its 90-card campaign, ending live racing on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Gym Tan Laundry and Lady Andi are Kindergarten Classic champions

2011-11-01T11:05:00.005-04:00

Gym Tan Laundry and Lady Andi earned champion status as a result of their respective divisional victories in Friday night's $383,000 Kindergarten Classic Series finals for 2-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.

Gym Tan Laundry ($5.40) lowered his personal record and the track's standard for freshman geldings on the diagonal gait to 1:55.3 with his bold-striding score in Friday's $200,500 fifth race, while Lady Andi ($4.90) dropped her win-mark to 1:57.3 with a splendid performance over eight female rivals in the $182,500 seventh session.

Brian Sears, who drove both title-winning trotters, also finished first with the trotter Unshakeable in race nine to earn his second driving triple at the 83-program meeting.

Gym Tan Laundry, who had lowered the Vernon record for frosh high-stepping geldings to 1:57.1 with his preliminary round tally here on Oct. 21, rallied overland from fourth in the early going to gain control of the male division in the final turn, and continued on to a two-length triumph over the crowd favorite Vic Smith, part of a Julie Miller-trained entry that included Southwind Austin, who finished third.

Friday's first-place finish gives the consistent son of Yankee Glide-Fresh Face a 4-2-1 summary line and earnings of $146,917 after seven career outings for the Adam Victor & Son Stable.

The favorite Lady Andi got away third in her flight, advanced to second at the half (reached in :58.3), took the lead nearing the three-quarter mark and raced on to a 1-3/4-length victory over the third choice, Can't Have My Moni.

All In The Muscles finished third, with the second betting choice, Maven, finishing fourth.

Lady Andi, whose previous win occurred here earlier in the season, improved her season's current performance line to 2-2-4 and bankroll to $139,988 after 11 appearances for the M&L Stable of Delaware, Inc. and the Little E LLC Stable of New York City.

Larry Rathbone trains the brown daughter of Andover Hall-Lady Lifter.

The Ray Schnittker-trained-and-driven Winning Fireworks converted a pocket-sitting trip into a 1:56 triumph in Friday's $10,000 eighth event, the week's Open trot.

The brown son of Credit Winner-Fireworks Hanover closed quickly in the stretch to defeat the Julie Miller-trained favorite, The Chancellor, by 1-1/2 lengths.

It marked the fifth current victory (first at the Downs) and ninth lifetime tally for the career-winner of more than $282,400, who is also owned by the Adam Victor & Son Stable.

DOWNS DOINGS - Noted driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Jessica Okusko each chalked up a pair of wins during Friday's 10-race card... Only seven more live programs currently remain in the track's 58th season... Saturday night's 10-race program, which includes the week's $10,000 Open pace in race nine, will get underway at 6:55 p.m... Saturday's program book will not only include the Vernon races, but also the Breeders Crown championship card, which will be simulcasted into the Downs from Canada's Woodbine Racetrack... Vernon has now switched to a Friday-Saturday weekly schedule only, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

RD Blues Wins Sloppy Thursday Feature

2011-10-28T07:25:00.003-04:00

RD Blues took advantage of the pylon path to post a 1:58.1 victory in Thursday night's $4,300 feature for female pacers at Vernon Downs.

With Jack Rice doing the teaming, RD Blues ($6.10) drafted along in the pocket behind the pace-setting Won Night Stand until the stretch drive, then slipped through along the inside and eked out a neck tally on a "sloppy" track.

Thursday's tally was the first locally, the fourth this season and 12th all-time for the 5-year-old daughter of Park Place-Rainy Day Blues.

Maria Rice (Jack's wife) conditions the career winner of more than $110,000 for the Rice Racing Stable and the Brothers IV Stable.

Rick Plano delivered three winners during Thursday's nine-race card, earning his eighth Vernon hat-trick this year and increasing his win total to 78 and taking over second-place in the track's driver standing from Frank Milby, who has 76.

Jimmy Whittemore is the current leader with 98.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional driver Mickey Holiday earned his first local victory behind Ashley Holiday's pacer Lyonsmontanajune, trained by Sherri Holiday, in Thursday's second race. It was his third career victory... Malevich Hanover and Enlightened each recorded their fifth Vernon victories on Thursday, one behind the current trotting win-leaders Canouan and DL Cruiser... The pacers Hay Goodlooking and Rosa Villa are the co-winningest equines at the 82-program meeting with seven scores apiece... Friday night's 10-race card will include the $200,500 Kindergarten Classic final for 2-year-old male trotters in race five, the $182,500 KC championship contest for filly trotters in race seven and a $10,000 Open trot in race eight... Only eight more live programs remain in the track's 58th season... The Downs will now switch to a Friday-Saturday schedule only, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Kindergarten Classic Finals set for Friday night at Vernon Downs

2011-10-27T13:30:00.004-04:00

Nine freshman trotting colts and nine freshman trotting fillies will look to add a serious chunk of change to their 2011 bankrolls on Friday night at Vernon Downs in the Kindergarten Classic Finals.

Andy and Julie Miller will send out a pair of trotting colts in the $200,500 Kindergarten Classic Final for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters with Southwind Austin and Vic Smith.

Both freshman trotters have already banked over $100,000 each and have combined for 10 victories on the year.

Andy will drive Vic Smith, who has been no worse than third in eight seasonal starts this year for the Andy Miller Stable and Baron Racing, while Steve Smith will drive the other Julie Miller entry, Southwind Austin, whose worst finish in 10 starts has also been a third.

The entry has been listed as the 9-5 morning line favorite for race number five and will go head-to-head with Frank Antonacci and Noel Daley's three-horse entry.

In the $182,500 final for 2-year-old trotting fillies, Maven, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite drawing post position number nine.

Jonas Czernyson trains the daughter of Glidemaster–M Stewart for W J Donovan, who has piled up seven wins in 10 seasonal outings, good for more than $140,000 in seasonal earnings.

Her main pilot this season has been Yannick Gingras, who will make the trip to Vernon, New York to guide the filly in race number seven.

The fields are below for the Kindergarten Classic Finals:

Race 5:
$200,500 Kindergarten Classic Final
2-year-old colt and gelding trotters
# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER
1 1 Gym Tan Laundry Brian Sears Noel Daley
1A 7 World Cup Frank Antonacci Frank Antonacci
1B 8 Blazed Tim Tetrick Frank Antonacci
2 3 Southwind Austin Steve Smith Julie Miller
2A 6 Vic Smith Andy Miller Julie Miller
3 2 Catman Dude Chris Lems Larry Rathbone
4 4 Kingapore Ray Schnittker Ray Schnittker
5 5 A Penny Earned Jim Morrill Jr. George Ducharme
6 9 Highland Yankee Frank Milby Bruce Saunders

Race 7:
$182,500 Kindergarten Classic Final
2-year-old filly trotters
# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER
1 1 All In The Muscles Andy Miller Julie Miller
2 2 Pretend To Be Nice Jack Rice Kimberlie Miller
3 3 American Saint Rick Plano Charlie Norris
4 4 Can't Have My Moni Tim Tetrick Frank Antonacci
5 5 Lady Andi Brian Sears Larry Rathbone
6 6 Aldebaran Malibu Frank Milby Jonas Czernyson
7 7 Sterling Volo Jan Johnson Jan Johnson
8 8 Bridge The Way Wim Paal Henrik Lundell
9 9 Maven Yannick Gingras Jonas Czernyson

Vernon Downs kicks off its three-day race weekend on Thursday night, followed by live racing on Friday and Saturday, all with a post time of 6:55 pm.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Plano Takes Saturday feature with Hay Goodlooking; Tightens Trainer Race

2011-10-24T10:30:00.004-04:00

Maryann Plano's veteran pacer Hay Goodlooking used a bold backstretch speed-brush to become a contender, and then continued on to secure a 1:53 victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

With husband Rick at the controls, Hay Goodlooking ($13.40) got away last in the six horse Open field, before accelerating from fourth to second around the final turn.

After a brief battle with the pace-setting favorite, Diamond Stick Pin, entering the homestretch, the gritty gelding drew off to a half-length triumph over the on-coming Thanks For Stoppin.

The second wagering choice, Samandar, finished third.

The energetic effort by Hay Goodlooking gives him seven scores at the 81-program meeting, tying him with fellow pacer Rosa Villa for most equine tallies at the Downs thus far in 2011.

It was the eighth season's score and 24th lifetime win for the bay son of Art Major-Monique's Legacy, who raised his career earnings to more than $400,000.

Hay Goodlooking's first-place finish gave Rick Plano his seventh three-win outing at the meet.

He also won with Maryann's trotter Damian Carlos N (1:57.2), and Real Sparks (1:54.1), a pacer he conditions for Dan and Jacalyn Boddie.

In a non-betting division of the C.K.G. Billings contest for amateur drivers of trotters prior to Vernon's 12-race pari-mutuel program, Anthony Verruso closed from fourth in the final quarter behind Sam's Honeybee to post a 1:59.2 triumph over the nearest of their nine rivals.

Carl Gillespie conditions the 5-year-old mare for owner Verruso.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore and driver/trainer Roman Lopez each chalked up twin tallies during the wagering program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional driver Josh Kinney earned his sixth win at the meet after a 1:55.4 effort by the pacer Joey P in Saturday's second race... With Frank Milby doing the steering, the pacer Excellence In Arts collected his third victory in a row for owner/trainer Ron Miller and his partner, Leo Lashomb, with a career-best 1:55.4 showing in the evening's last race... The Downs will present Thursday-Saturday night racing for the final time in 2011 next week, before switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Here's a look at the updated Driver/Trainer Standings:
Driver Standings:
Jimmy Whittemore 98
Frank Milby 76
Rick Plano 75
Chris Lems 62
Claude Huckabone, III 37
Howard Okusko, Jr. 35
Frank Davis 32
Roman Lopez 30
Jack Rice 28
Brian Connor 27
Leon Bailey 26

Trainer Standings:
Tracy Brainard 51
Rick Plano 47
Dave Dewhurst 29
Jessica Okusko 29
Dennis Whittemore 27
Roman Lopez 23
Dan Daley 21

We've Got a Situation: Gym Tan Laundry Lowers Track Record in Kindergarten Classic

2011-10-24T10:16:00.003-04:00

Gym Tan Laundry turned in a track record performance, while Vic Smith, Maven, American Saint and Bridge The Way continued to pay dividends to their owners during Friday night's $50,000 leg of the Kindergarten Classic (KC) Series for 2-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.

Gym Tan Laundry lopped one-fifth-of-a-second off the previous track standard for freshman trotting geldings with his 1:57.1 score in Friday's second male division, while the colt Vic Smith continued his consistent ways with a 1:56.2 tally in the first male KC clash.

Maven produced the fastest filly score of the KC's fourth leg, a 157.4 triumph in the middle distaff division, while American Saint earned a 1:58.2 win record in the sixth race, and Bridge The Way lowered her speed standard to 1:58.4 in Friday's first flight.

Gym Tan Laundry turned a two-hole trip into a career-best score, while improving his overall record to 3-2-1 after six starts in Friday's fifth event.

James Rattray did the steering for trainer Noel Daley and the Adam Victor and Son Stable as the bay son of Yankee Glide-Fresh Face improved on the Vernon mark for his age, sex and gait that had been established by Classic Conway on Sept. 24 of this year.

Vic Smith closed from third in the stretch to earn his sixth score in eight official appearances in Friday's second race.

Andy Miller drove the bay son of Yankee Glide-PJ Naomi for trainer Julie Miller and the Andy Miller Stable/Baron Racing Stable partnership.

The capable colt also sports a second-place finish and a third this season.

Maven's come-from-behind triumph in race three improved her summary line to 7-1-1 following 10 trips to the track.

Frank Milby did the teaming for trainer Jonas Czernyson as the bay daughter of Glidemaster-M Stewart hiked her winnings to more than $140,900 for owner W. J. Donovan.

Milby earned a double during the evening after piloting American Saint to her initial pari-mutual win.

The bay daughter of Like A Prayer-Baby American has also produced three seconds and two thirds in nine outings for trainer Charlie Norris and owner Robert J. Key.

With Wim Paal sulky-sitting for trainer Henrik Lundell, Bridge The Way raced like she was the best, and proved it with a front-striding, maiden-breaking tally.

The bay daughter of Conway Hall-Bridget Blue Chip-Credit Winner has also chalked up a second-place finish and a pair of thirds after six showings.

Red Light became a two-time winner at the 80-program meeting following a 1:55.3 victory in Friday's $10,000 ninth event, the week's Open trotting contest.

Claude Huckabone, III did the chauffeuring for top trainer Tracy Brainard and her partner, Andrew Herzog.

It marked the fourth current tally and 11th lifetime win for the 4-year-old son of S J's Photo-Miss Lovely, who increased his career bankroll to $170,141.

DOWNS DOINGS - Driver Leon Bailey won with the Dan Daley-trained trotters Hallin' Cash and Tap Tap Dance during Friday's 11-race card... Saturday's 12-race pari-mutual program will be preceded by a non-betting leg of the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters at 6:30 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Harlem Rockturne is Vernon Downs pacing queen

2011-10-24T10:06:00.004-04:00

Harlem Rockturne regained her title as Queen of the Pacing Hill at Vernon Downs following a 1:54.1 victory in Thursday night's $10,000 featured 10th event.

Leading dash-winner Jimmy Whittemore did the teaming for his father, trainer/owner Dennis Whittemore, as Harlem Rockturne ($4.60) raced aggressively throughout the mile contest, closing from second in the stretch to defeat the favorite, All About Kisses, by nearly two lengths.

Thursday's tally was the sixth in the last eight outings for Harlem Rockturne and her fourth in the track's female Open pace.

The 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Capericorn has collected five of her nine season's scores over Vernon's 7/8ths-mile oval, raising her career total to 10.

She's now a lifetime winner of more than $82,000.

Canouan's 1:58 triumph in Thursday's $5,500 first race was his sixth of the season locally; tying him with DL Cruiser for most trotting tallies after 79 of this year's scheduled 90 programs.

Frank Milby drove for owner/trainer Laurie Stark and her partner, Thomas Eichas.

The pacer Rosa Villa currently leads in equine wins at the meet with seven.

Rick Plano picked up four driving victories on Thursday, raising his win total for the meet to 71, two shy of Milby's second-place total.

Chris Lems logged three driving and two training wins during Thursday's 12-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Two-time defending champ Whittemore leads in driving victories with 96... Gus and Alan Johnston's freshman pacing colt Moonlight Ranson earned his first trip to the winner's circle after a 1:57.2 mile with Plano piloting for trainer Ray Van Dreason in Thursday's third event... Friday's 11-race card includes five divisions (three for fillies) in the $50,000 fourth preliminary round of the Kindergarten Classic Series for 2-year-old trotters, plus the week's $10,000 Open contest for square-gaiters. First post will be at 6:55 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Daley Seeks Breeders Crown Redemption with Royal Shyster

2011-10-19T10:09:00.003-04:00

Vernon Downs horseman Dan Daley knows all about success at the Breeders Crown. He captured the 2-year-old colt trot with champion Master Lavec in 1999 and finished second a year later with CJ's Secret.

Daley held another strong hand five years later with the super fast RC Royalty, but blames himself for the colt's fifth place finish at the Meadowlands.

"I choked him way down and let a horse go that I shouldn't have," said Daley. "But that's the way it goes sometime."

Daley will seek redemption at Woodbine Racetrack with the best colt in RC Royalty's 17-foal first crop, Royal Shyster.

The New York Sire Stakes champion has nine wins and three seconds from 12 freshman starts with earnings of more than $225,000, not bad for a colt Daley plucked out of the 2010 Morrisville College Yearling Sale for a mere $14,000.

"His dad was a really good horse, but he's actually more manageable and he's going to go on and be a top, top horse," said Daley. "There aren't too many two-year olds that can just trot a quarter in 27 seconds at the drop of a hat. He's a good horse and wants to be a great horse."

Royal Shyster scored the easiest of wins in the $175,000 New York Sire Stakes Final at Saratoga on October 1, stretching his winning streak to seven.

The streak came to a surprising halt last Friday with a runner-up finish in a division of the Simpson Stakes at Vernon Downs. Daley said the colt emerged from the race a little sick, but will be ready for the Breeders Crown.

"I don't usually go to the Breeders Crown unless I've got a legitimate shot and I think he does so we're going to race him."

** A video replay of Royal Shyster's win in the New York Sire Stakes is available by clicking the following link: NYSS Final

NY Champion Heston Blue Chip Stars in Simpson Stakes

2011-10-16T07:58:00.004-04:00

Heston Blue Chip, Forever Just, Blackjack Princess and Up Front Sharon were each divisional winners in Saturday's $62,534 John Simpson, Sr. Memorial Stake for 2-year-old pacers, while Tim Tetrick teamed five first-place finishers during a raw and rainy fall evening at Vernon Downs.

The Linda Toscano trainees Heston Blue Chip (1:54.4) and Forever Just (1:55) won segments of the $31,924 Simpson contest for male members of the lateral gait, while the Mark Ford conditioned youngsters Blackjack Princess (1:55.4) and Up Front Sharon (1:55.4) posted their victories in the event's $30,610 filly flights.

Heston Blue Chip (American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip), the track's season's speed leader for freshman colt side-wheelers on the basis of his 1:52.4 New York Sires Stakes score here on Sept. 24, extended his winning streak to six with a bold-going effort over a "sloppy" track in the 10th of 12 pari-mutual races.

The solid score, which provided Tetrick with his fifth win, improved the gifted colt's summery line to 10 wins and a second-place finish in 11 starts for local owner Ken Jacobs.

The career-winner of more than $273,900 is the 2011 NYSS champion for his class as the result of a 1:53.3 victory in his previous start at Saratoga on Oct. 1.

Forever Just (Bettor's Delight-Forever Cam) improved his summary line to 7-4-1 following 12 official trips to the track after Tetrick steered him to a fast-closing 1:55 triumph in Saturday's fifth event.

Fred Wallace and the Stake Your Claim Stable hold the registration papers on the capable colt, who now sports a $188,689 bankroll.

Tetrick was also at the controls behind Blackjack Princess (Cam's Card Shark-Happy Doris) in the sixth event as the frisky filly converted a draft-along trip into a tight tally over Arodasi.

It marked her fourth official win in succession and gave the bay side-wheeler a 5-4-2 performance line after 12 appearances.

Robert O. Di Nozzi owns the career winner of $102,750.

Up Front Sharon (American Ideal-Jeff Diamond) earned her front-ending, 4-3/4 length tally in a non-betting contest between the second and third pari-mutuel races.

Jim Morrill, Jr. did the sulky-sitting for owner-trainer Ford and his partner, C. Ed Mulinax, as the steady-going filly advanced her record to 3-3-1 and winnings to more than $78,000 after eight starts.

Tetrick also finished first with the pacer Dot's Bigboy (1:56.3) and Open pace winner Diamond Stick pin (1:54) to tie Frank Milby, Chris Lems and Rick Plano for most Vernon victories on a single season's program after 78 racing cards.

Ford ended the evening with three training tallies, while Toscano, drivers Morrill, Jr., Milby and Brian Sears were each two-time Saturday winners.

DOWNS DOINGS - There are now just 12 programs remaining during Vernon's 58th season... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

2-year-old trotters in the Simpson Stake spotlight

2011-10-15T14:47:00.004-04:00

Classic Conway, Quit Smoking Now, Cowgirl Hall, Exercise To Go and Autumn Escapade all performed with distinction during a rainy, blustery Friday evening at Vernon Downs.

Classic Conway and Quit Smoking Now were each divisional winners in Friday's $63,734 John Simpson, Sr. Memorial Stake (JSSMS) for 2-year-old colt & gelding trotters, while Cowgirl Hall and Exercise To Go each captured filly trotting flights.

Autumn Escapade, one of the sport's top older mare trotters, earned her second local score with a 1:55.2 effort in Friday's $10,000 Open trot.

The brilliant 6-year-old daughter of Victory Sam-Winning Colors K followed up a 1:53.2 victory in Vernon's $25,000 leg of the Miss Versatility series on Sept. 9 with a 1:54.4 score in the barn-storming event's $90,000 championship clash at Delaware, OH on Sept. 22.

David Miller did the teaming for trainer Jonas Czernyson as the current career winner of $778,652 secured her 26th all-time tally for David and Misty Miller with a front-striding, 1:55.2 outing over a "sloppy" track in Friday's 10th event.

Classic Conway (Conway Hall-Classic Yankee), Vernon's season's speed leader for 2-year-old trotting geldings on the basis of a 1:57.2 track record triumph back on Sept. 24, became a two-time winner at the meeting with a fast-closing 1:58.4 mile in the first (Super Bowl) segment of the $31,024 JSSMS for male proponents of the diagonal gait.

Stephane Bouchard did the steering for trainer Janice Connor and area owners Albert C. and Michelle C. Crawford.

Quit Smoking Now (Donato Hanover-Smokeslikeachimney) nailed down his third current victory (first locally) and snapped New York Sires Stakes champion Royal Shyster's seven-straight winning streak with a determined 1:57.1 achievement in the second colt/gelding clash.

David Miller drove for noted trainer Cassie Coleman and the Norman Smiley, Gerald Smiley, Theresa Gentry Silver and TLP Stable ownership contingent.

Competing for purse money only (due to a scratch of entry-mate Silica), Cowgirl Hall (Cash Hall-Centerfold Hall) closed from fifth in a :28-second final quarter to defeat the favorite, Maven, in the second session of the $32,710 JSSMS for female high-steppers.

Former three-time Downs driving kingpin Brian Sears did the sulky-sitting for trainer Gates Brunet and the Deborah Brunet (Gate’s wife), Theodore Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal and Jean Brunet ownership group.

It was the second local tally and fourth season's score for the present winner of more than $52,800.

Exercise To Go (Muscles Yankee-Lhasa Lhasa Lhasa) came from off the pace and earned her first career victory with a 2:01.2 outing in the other Davidia Hanover division, with Miller sitting in for trainer Czernyson and owner Thomas Dillon.

Miller collected three driving victories during Friday's 12-race card, while Sears, driver Jim Morrill, Jr. Czernyson and trainer Brunet each posted a pair of first-place finishes during the track's 77th program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Leading Vernon driver Jimmy Whittemore celebrated his 29th birthday with a 1:59.1 triumph behind his dad's (trainer Dennis Whittemore) trotter Saver in Friday's 11th event... Saturday's 13-race slate includes four divisions of a $62,534 JSSMS for 2-year-old pacers, plus the week's $10,000 Open test for local proponents of the lateral gait. First post will be at 6:55 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Ocean's Motion Best in Thursday Night Feature

2011-10-14T08:24:00.003-04:00

Ocean's Motion went from last to first before recording a 1:51.3 victory in Thursday night's $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs.

Competing against five quick-footed foes in the week's Open contest for female pacers, Ocean's Motion ($4.10) was last at the quarter, fifth at the half and fourth entering the final two furlongs.

The 4-year-old daughter of Camotion-CR Charisma powered up in the stretch and drew off to win by more than six lengths.

Veteran teamster Chuck Connor, Sr. did the steering for his wife, trainer Janice Connor, and owner Robert J. Lovett as the career-winner of more than $126,000 secured her second local score, sixth season's tally and 13th lifetime victory.

Ocean's Motion's time bettered her previous win-mark by 2/5ths-of-a-second and was just one-and-2/5ths seconds off the track record for her age, sex and gait, set by Armbro Dancer in 2007.

Greig Watson's Play Right and Canouan, shared in ownership by Thomas Eichas and trainer Laurie Stark, each recorded their fifth current Vernon victories during Thursday's 11-race program, and are now just one tally shy of the meet's trotting leader, DL Cruiser, with 14 programs remaining in the track's 90-card campaign.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore and, runner-up Frank Milby, each recorded a pair of first-place finishes during Thursday's card; while top provisional driver Truman Gale chalked up his 18th win at the meet.

DOWNS DOINGS - Play Right and the pacer Southwind Trini, owned by Maryann Plano and Paul Bulinski, each extended their current winning streaks to three during Thursday's card... Southwind Trini also became a five-time winner at the meet... Becoming two-time winners at the Downs this season were the pacers Ocean's Motion, Lover's Delight, Emma's Lily, Works For Me, Mc Tbone Ida and the trotter Pa John... Friday's 12-race card, which begins at 6:55 p.m., will feature four divisions of a $63,734 John Simpson, Sr. Memorial Stake for freshman trotters (two for each sex), plus the week's $10,000 Open trot... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending its 58th campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

New York Champions Headline Simpson Stakes

2011-10-13T16:16:00.004-04:00

Vernon Downs kicks off its three-day race weekend tonight (Thursday, October 13) at 6:55 pm leading into its stakes filled weekend featuring the 2-year olds in the John Simpson Stakes on Friday and Saturday night.

Friday night plays host to the freshman trotters led by NYSS champion Royal Shyster for the colts.

Dan Daley brings Royal Shyster into Friday night looking to work on his seven-race win streak that he has compiled since the beginning of August.

In their last out, the 2-year-old son of RC Royalty–Spin The Planet left aggressively in the $175,000 New York Sire Stakes Final and never relinquished the lead winning by more than two lengths.

Royal Shyster sports a record of nine wins and two seconds in 11 seasonal outings for more than $224,000 in earnings.

In the filly division, Maven headlines the second division for driver David Miller and trainer Jonas Czernyson.

The 2-year-old daughter of Glidemaster–M Stewart is coming off back-to-back wins at Lexington, including her last out in a $109,100 division of the Bluegrass Stakes in 1:56.3.

Maven has found the winner's circle on six of eight occasions in 2011 good for earnings of more than $131,000.

Saturday switches gaits and welcomes the freshman pacers looking for late season glory in the Simpson Stakes.

New York sensation and 2011 Sire Stakes champion, Heston Blue Chip, headlines for the colts coming off of an impressive first over romp in the Sire Stakes Final two weeks ago.

Linda Toscano trains the 2-year-old son of American Ideal–Shot Togo Bluechip for owner Ken Jacobs, and regular driver Tim Tetrick will be in town to do the driving.

Two divisions for 2-year-old pacing fillies will be contested Saturday night, one slated for race six, while the other will be raced as a non-wagering event after race number two.

Post time for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday is 6:55 pm.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Vernon Downs Driver/Trainer Standings

2011-10-10T10:31:00.003-04:00

With 75 of 90 racing days completed, defending driving champion Jimmy Whittemore looks well on his way to repeating. Meanwhile, defending training champion Tracy Brainard continues to top the standings, but Rick Plano is making a furious bid to take over the top spot. Plano arrived at Vernon Downs well after the start of the season following the end of the season at Cal Expo. Here are the driver and trainer standings through the end of racing on October 8th.

Driver Standings:
1. Jimmy Whittemore 92 wins
2. Frank Milby 68 wins
3. Rick Plano 66 wins
4. Chris Lems 58 wins
5. Claude Huckabone, III 35 wins
6. Howard Okusko, Jr 33 wins
7. Frank Davis 32 wins
8. Jack Rice 27 wins
8. Roman Lopez 27 wins
10. Brian Connor 25 wins

Trainer Standings:
1. Tracy Brainard 49 wins
2. Rick Plano 42 wins
3. Dave Dewhurst 27 wins
4. Jessica Okusko 26 wins
5. Dennis Whittemore 25 wins
6. Roman Lopez 20 wins
7. Howard Okusko, Sr. 19 wins
8. Chris Lems 17 wins
8. Dan Daley 17 wins

Favored Mata Harry Takes Saturday Feature; Plano Wins 4 More

2011-10-10T10:23:00.003-04:00

The favorite Mata Harry rewarded his backers with a 1:54 victory in Saturday night's $10,000 Open-1 pacing feature at Vernon Downs.

With leading driver Jimmy Whittemore doing the urging in the evening's ninth event, Mata Harry ($3.90) raced on the lead through splits of :26, :55.4 and 1:25.1 en route to a neck decision over the fast-closing Mackenzie's Bliss.

Saturday's score was the sixth at the 75-program meeting for the bay son of Armbro Operative-Down East Lady, one less that the current equine race-winning pacesetter Rosa Villa.

It was the 37th lifetime triumph for the career-winner of $439,220, who is trained by Dennis Whittemore (Jimmy's father) and owned by Elliot Misshula.

Driver Rick Plano continued his hot hand, piloting four first-place finishers during Saturday's 10-race card and raised his win total for the weekend to 10.

The talented 59-year-old horseman won with the pacers Dot's Big Boy (1:53.4), Lucky Land (1:52.1), Bigtown Hero (1:51.1) and Most Happy Lavros (1:53.1) to obtain his second four-win outing of the meet and raising his current driving victory total here to 66, third to Whittemore's pace-setting total of 92, and two behind Frank Milby's second-place total of 68.

He also advanced his training total to 42, seven behind the current conditioning leader Tracy Brainard with 15 programs remaining in the track's 58th season.

DOWNS DOINGS - Bigtown Hero's career-fastest win was his third in succession and the fastest mile of the evening. His time was just 4/5ths-of-a-second off the track record for 3-year-old gelding pacers, set earlier this season by Fantaddy. The promising bay son of American Ideal has now recorded five wins in 10 career starts... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending this year's 90-card campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Yankee Manny Wins Third Straight for Davis

2011-10-08T08:58:00.004-04:00

The trotter Yankee Manny continued to display winning form in a 1:55.1 performance during Friday night's $10,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs.

Trainer Frank Davis was at the controls as the favorite Yankee Manny ($3.20) flashed to the front early in the week's Open-1 contest for square-gaiters and maintained his advantage to the finish, holding off the surging Mr. Avalanche by one-half of a length.

Friday's first-place finish was the third in a row for the 5-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet, who now sports seven current victories and 18 lifetime tallies.

The career winner of $93,302 is owned by Brian Green.

The final time was 1/5th-of-a-second off the record mile that the bay gelding produced here last Friday.

Salome Marvel converted a pocket-sitting trip into a 1:56.2 triumph in Friday's $6,500 secondary feature, race nine, with Frank Milby doing the teaming for trainer John McNeil, III and owner Ben McNeil.

Rick Plano continued his hot hand, winning with the trotters L’Argent Hall (1:58.4) and Enlightened (1:58.3) to notch his 11th driving double of the meet, his sixth victory of the weekend and his 62nd after 74 current Vernon programs.

Driver Claude Huckabone, III and leading trainer Tracy Brainard also combined for a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Conrad Zurich's promising sophomore trotter Petraeus earned his initial pari-mutuel victory with Howard Okusko, Jr., sitting in for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, guiding the son of Credit Winner-Lorrain Blue Chip to a 2:01.1 tally in Friday's sixth session... Saturday night's 10-race card, which includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race nine, will begin at 6:55 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending this year's 90-card campaign on Nov. 19... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Plano Wins 4, Narrows Gap in Standings

2011-10-07T12:56:00.003-04:00

Rick Plano began his trek towards a four-win evening with a 1:54.2 effort behind the pacer Southwind Trini in Thursday night's $6,500 featured first race at Vernon Downs.

Competing in the week's top test for female side-wheelers, Southwind Trini ($6.10) challenged for the lead off the starting gate, took command with a two-wide move entering the backstretch, and then continued on to a half-length decision over the pocket-sitting RD Blues.

Thursday's tally was the second in a row and fourth this season for the fleet-footed 3-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Tattoo Hanover, who is shared in ownership by Rick's wife, Maryann, and Paul Bulinski.

Plano, currently third in races won at the 73-program meeting and second in training tallies, went on to finish first with Real Sparks (1:53.3) in the second race, New York Scooter (1:56) in the fourth event, and Patty's Courage (1:56) in the final contest to record his initial four-win outing of the current campaign.

He had a five-win night here last Saturday (Oct. 1).

Chris Lems, currently fourth in driving victories here this season, and Joe Nassimos, each posted twin tallies during Thursday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Plano, who didn't arrive from California until after Vernon's 58th season was well underway, currently sports 60 driving wins and 38 training tallies... Friday's 10-race program, which includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 trot in event seven, will begin at 6:55 p.m... The Downs will continue with a Thursday-Saturday night schedule for the remainder of this month, before to switching to a Friday-Saturday slate during the first three weekends in November, ending this year's 90-card campaign on Nov. 19... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Plano Wins 5

2011-10-03T10:23:00.003-04:00

Rick Plano put on a driving clinic at Vernon Downs on Saturday, winning five of the evening's 12 races, including the fastest mile during the card with his wife's pacer, Bigtown Hero.

After scoring with Devil's Bargain, CJ's On Target, Hay Goodlooking, and Brilliant Thunder, Plano piloted Bigtown Hero to a convincing 1:53.2 triumph over a rain-soaked, "good" track in Saturday's 10th event.

The 59-year-old horseman urged Maryann Plano's 3-year-old gelding into the lead after the opening quarter and the bay son of American Ideal-Art Account kept charging until he had racked up a solid 15-length victory.

As the favorite, he paid $3.30 for the win, his second at the meet and fourth in nine career outings.

Plano's five wins tied him with Frank Milby and Chris Lems as the only reinsmen to have reached that plateau after 72 current programs.

The win also enabled him to tie Lems at 56 victories for third place on the meet's dash-winning chart.

Lems logged a pair of first-place finishes (with the pacers he trains and drives, Gentlemen Heir and Mackenzie's Bliss) during Saturday's program to keep pace with the surging Plano, who recorded eight victories during the three-night weekend.

DOWNS DOINGS - Plano is currently second in training tallies at the meet with 35, 12 off the pace being set by defending conditioning champ Tracy Brainard... Plano, an area native, didn't arrive from his former home base in California until well after Vernon's 58th campaign was underway... Provisional driver Josh Kinney earned his fifth win at the meet behind the pacer Hobby Art Benka in Saturday's 11th event... The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Yankee Manny Upsets Friday Night feature

2011-10-03T10:06:00.003-04:00

Despite a step up in class, Yankee Manny managed to obtain his second straight score in Friday night's $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs.

Making just his second local appearance, Yankee Manny ($24.20) followed up a 1:56.3 victory against lesser company here last Friday with a career-fastest 1:55 triumph in this week's Open-1 trotting contest.

Trainer Frank Davis did the driving as Yankee Manny rallied from sixth in the early going, overcame a parked-out journey around the final bend, and then zipped home from third in the final furlong (last quarter in :27.4) to finish first by more than two lengths.

It was the sixth season's score and 17th lifetime victory for the 5-year-old son of Yankee Glide-Yankee Minuet, who is owned by Brian Green.

The Pocono Downs ship-in has earned $9,200 in his two Vernon outings, raising his career winnings to more than $88,300.

Driver Frank Milby collected three wins during Friday's 12-race program, including a 1:55.4 triumph behind Dilly Dally Delia in race six, the week's $8,000 Open-2 trotting test.

John Wilkerson conditions the six-time current winner for owner Benjamin Brooks.

DL Cruiser became the winningest trotter at the 71-program meeting following a lifetime-best 1:57 score in Friday's $6,500 seventh session with trainer Joe Nassimos steering for owners Nicholas Angarano and Shawn Ross.

It was the 6-year-old gelding's second win in succession and sixth at the Downs thus far in 2011.

Driver Roman Lopez also logged a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's card.

DOWNS DOINGS - The pacer Rosa Villa is the winningest equine at the meet with seven scores... Kyler's Valentine, a 2-year-old filly pacer shared in ownership by trainer Dave Dewhurst, Anthony R. Farina and Bernard Colonna, earned her initial career victory with Chris Lems guiding her through an impressive 1:56 performance in Friday's 10th event... Saturday's 12-race line-up, which features some of the week's top pacing attractions, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Brookroad Knight Fastest in Late Closers

2011-10-03T10:00:00.004-04:00

Brookroad Knight returned to his winning ways after posting the fastest clocking in the final division of Thursday night's $37,200 New York Sire Stakes-sponsored late-closing contest for 2-year-old male trotters at Vernon Downs.

Competing over a "sloppy" track in the third and final flight of Thursday's test for freshman representatives of the diagonal gait, Brookroad Knight idled in fourth as Leo Vincent cut a three-quarter-mile split in 1:29.2.

With Dan Cappello, Jr. sitting in for trainer Bruce Borden, the bay son of CR Excalibur-Questionable closed from second at the top of the stretch (final quarter in :29 seconds), and out-hoofed the pocket-sitting Toga Town to the finish by one length.

The fast-closing, lifetime-best 1:58.4 effort resulted in the fourth win in the past five starts for the career-winner of $21,737, who is still owned by breeder John W. O'Connor.

Thursday's other late-closing divisional victors were Hurrikane Brockton (Conway Hall-Global Possession), in 2:00.4 for driver Stephane Bouchard, trainer John Mc Dermott, and the Jeffrey Kuhen, Hurrikane Racing and Jonathan Klee ownership contingent; and New York Attitude (Cash Hall-Four Starz Nanny), in 2:01.3 with Chuck Connor, Jr. teaming for trainer John Hallett, and co-owners Michelle Hallett and L. Michelle Oglesby.

Thursday's career-fastest tally was the third in succession for Hurrikane Brockton, while New York Attitude's maiden-breaking performance improved his summary line to 1-1-3 after six starts.

Connor, Jr. recorded a double during the 12-race program after teaming Ocean's Motion to a career-quickest 1:52 tally in Thursday's $10,000 Open event for female pacers.

It was the first win in two local tries, fifth current victory and 12th all-time score for the 4-year-old daughter of Camotion-CR Charisma, who is trained by Janice Connor (Chuck's wife) and owned by Robert Lovett.

Rick Plano posted two sulky-sitting and training tallies during the track's 70th program, while drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Frank Davis each recorded a pair of first-place finishes.

DOWNS DOINGS - With trainer John Stark, Jr. driving, the promising 2-year-old trotting filly The Sorceress earned her second straight score and a 2:00 win-record in Thursday's $3,000 third race for Stark and his Syracuse-area partners E. Carlyle Smith, David Smith and Jim Giannuzzi... Plano is currently second in training tallies at the meet with 33, 14 behind the leader Tracy Brainard with 20 planned programs remaining during the track's 58th season... Friday's 12-race card, which includes the week's Open-1 and Open-2 trotting tests, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

More track records fall in Saturday Night Sire Stakes

2011-09-26T10:02:00.005-04:00

The pacer Memory King and trotter Classic Conway delivered track record performances during Saturday night's $237,915 New York Sire Stakes co-features at Vernon Downs.

Memory King lowered the track standard for 2-year-old pacing geldings to 1:53 with his victory in the first of three divisions of Saturday's $118,587 NYSS for first-year male performers on the lateral gait, while Classic Conway became the fastest 2-year-old trotting gelding in the track's 58-year history after his 1:57.2 effort in one of four flights of the evening's $119,328 NYSS contest for freshman male proponents of the diagonal gait.

In clipping 1/5th-of-a-second off the previous Vernon mark for his age, sex and gait (set by Townslight Hanover last season), Memory King benefited from a pocket trip from catch-driver Rick Plano to lower his previous win record and post his second score in succession.

Erv Miller trains the bay son of Riverboat King-Musical Memory for the Red Barn Stable.

Classic Conway also closed from the two-slot in the stretch to nip Coraggioso by a head.

Stephane Bouchard drove for trainer Dave Jannone as the bay son of Conway Hall-Classic Yankee collected his second win in a row for owners Albert C. and Michelle C. Crawford.

He bettered the previous 1:58.2 track mark, set by Well Budgeted in 2002.

Saturday's other divisional winners in the pacing contest were Steelhead Hanover (Bettor's Delight-Special Beauty), in 1:52.4 with Jim Morrill, Jr. teaming for trainer Joe Pavia, Jr. and the AGC Stable, Dijo Racing, Inc., Joseph Barbera and Steven Held, and Heston Blue Chip (American Ideal-Shot Togo Bluechip) in 1:52.4 with Morrill, Jr. steering for trainer Linda Toscano and owner Kenneth Jacobs.

Steelhead Hanover improved his summary line to 4-2-2 after nine starts, while Heston Blue Chip claimed his fourth win in succession and now sports eight victories and a second-place finish in nine outings.

The evening's other first-place finishers in the NYSS trotting tests were Delano (Credit Winner-Kelly Hall), in 1:56.3 with part-owner and trainer Ray Schnittker steering for his partners Gareth Dowse, Tom Vassiliou and Nicholas Tallarico; Royal Shyster (RC Royalty-Spin The Planet), in 1:57.2 with trainer Dan Daley doing the teaming for the Albert C. Crawford, Ann-Mari Daley, Richard Lombardo and Robert Pergament ownership contingent; and Archangel (Credit Winner-Michelle's Angel), in 1:58.2 with Morrill, Jr. piloting for trainer/co-owner Peter Arrigenna and his partners, Alan C. Hainsworth and Clare Semer.

Delano currently sports a 5-1-1 summary line after nine outings.

Royal Shyster has strung together six straight NYSS scores to improve his record to eight wins and a pair of second in 10 trips to the track, while Archangel made it two wins in succession and three in nine lifetime starts.

In non-NYSS action during Saturday's 12-race card, Mambo Italiano captured the week's $8,000 Open-2 pacing contest in a career-best 1:53 performance with Jeff Gregory driving for trainer Heidi Rohr and owner Marc J. Reynolds, while newcomer B N Bad won the $10,000 Open-1 pacing clash in 1:51.1 with Gregory sitting in for trainer Pavia, Jr. and the AGC Stables, Inc., Steven Held, Peter Shank and Paul Molter.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week with a NYSS late-closing contest for 2-year-old male trotters set for Thursday (Sept. 29)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Up Tempo from start to finish in soggy Friday Night feature

2011-09-23T23:11:00.006-04:00

Up Tempo, second choice in the wagering, raced like he thought he was the best, and then proved it with a 1:56.4 score in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Competing against four Open-1 foes on a track turned sloppy by persistent rain, Up Tempo ($9.40) went right to the front for driver Rick Plano and romped to a 1-3/4 length victory.

It marked the third current score and 26th lifetime tally for the 6-year-old son of Boy Band-A Virtue, who is trained by Jennifer Sansone and owned by John Brophy.

The sixth member of the select Open-1 field, Flex The Muscle, was a judges scratch.

Plano piloted a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's 12-race card, as did drivers Leon Bailey, Frank Milby and Chris Lems.

Friday's fastest mile (1:56.3) was registered by Brian Green's veteran trotter Yankee Manny, who made his Downs debut a winning one with trainer Frank Davis doing the driving in the $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 contest.

DOWNS DOINGS - First time career winners during the track's 68th program were the trotters Chocolate Slide (1:59.2), Chocolate Cream (2:00.2), as well as the pacers Hover (1:58.3) and Golf Pro (1:59.3)... Saturday night's 12-race card includes four divisions of a New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters, three flights of a NYSS contest for freshman male members of the lateral gait, as well as the week's Open-1 and Open-2 paces. First post will be at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Local Favorites Surface Tension and Some Girls Fastest Winners of NYSS

2011-09-23T07:16:00.005-04:00

New York Sire Stakes notables I'm The Answer, Surface Tension and Some Girls were among the divisional winners in Thursday night's $290,128 co-features for Empire State-breds at Vernon Downs.

I'm The Answer earned his eighth wins in 13 season's starts, while local favorite Surface Tension turned in the fastest mile during Thursday's $145,548 NYSS event for 3-year-old colt & gelding trotters, while Vernon-based Some Girls was the swiftest winner in the $144,580 NYSS contest for sophomore filly square-gaiters.

Competing over a "good" track in the first male trotting test, I'm The Answer front-ended his way to a 1:56.3 victory with trainer Trond Smedshammer doing the steering for Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables.

It resulted in the 10th career triumph for the brown son of Credit Winner-Southwind Flanders, who hiked his career winnings to $267,217.

Local teamster Dan Daley secured a double during the 12-race program after steering Surface Tension out of the pocket in the stretch and on to a career-best 1:54.4 score in the eighth event, giving his charge a 5-2-1 summary line after 14 current outings.

It marked the 10th lifetime victory for the brown son of Cash Hall-Hopeful Gigi, who is shared in ownership by Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife), Richard Lombardo and Albert C. Crawford.

The other winners in the male category were Wheels (Conway Hall-Quick Credit), in 1:55.3 for driver/trainer Ray Schnittker and his ownership partner, the Wheels Stable; and Bristle's Winner (Credit Winner-Bristle Hanover), in 1:56.2 with Jeff Gregory handling the lines for trainer Tony Alagna and owner John Carver.

Some Girls, shared in ownership by trainer Gates Brunet of Munnsville, along with Theodore Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal and Jean Brunet, collected her third score in succession and lowered her win mark to 1:56.4 with a fast-closing head victory for driver Jim Morrill, Jr. in the second filly flight.

The bay daughter of Conway Hall-Emotional Rescue has recorded an 8-2-1 summary chart in 15 current appearances, which has raised her lifetime win count to 16 and her all-time earnings to $431,483.

The other filly first-place finishers were Miss Sue V (Credit Winner-Sunday Yankee), in 1:57 with Brian Mattison driving for trainer Paul Kelley, the Kelley Racing Stable and William Weaver, III; Brooklyn (Conway Hall-Anna Karin's Girl), in 1:57.2 with Morrill, Jr. teaming for trainer Frank Antonacci and the Adam Victor & Son Stable; and Go Go Dancer (Credit Winner-Princess Gladiator), in 1:58.4 with Gregory sitting in for trainer Paul Kelley and the Jim Winske, Stephen Michaels, Rossie Smith and Kelley Racing Stable contingent.

Eagle Hilarious, trainer Claude Huckabone, III driving for owner Hugo Iodice, captured Thursday's $10,000 12th race, the week's Open for female pacers, with a front-striding 1:54.1 performance.

It marked the third local tally, fifth season's score and 27th lifetime win for the 7-year-old daughter of Dragon Again-Cyclebred.

DOWNS DOINGS - Jezzy, who has recorded 19 wins and a pair of second-place finishes in 24 lifetime starts, was a judges scratch in Thursday's seventh race... Friday's 12-race card, which includes with week's $10,000 Open-1 trot, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Track Record holder Pacinello wins second straight

2011-09-18T07:08:00.004-04:00

Track record-holder Pacinello pulled off a comeback victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

With Rick Plano as the pilot, Pacinello ($10.00) paced to the lead before the quarter, then got shuffled back into the pocket as the favorite, Riggins, took charge and led until the final furlong.

Pacinello, two lengths back entering the stretch drive, responded with a :26.3 final quarter to defeat the on-rushing Thanks For Stoppin' by two lengths in the week's Open-1 contest.

Riggins faded to third in the 1:51.2 mile.

Saturday's score was the second in succession, the seventh this season (fifth at the Downs) and 27th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara, who is owned by the D&E Racing stable.

The career-winner of more than $287,100 set a 1:50.2 Vernon standard for aged pacing horses back on July 23.

Plano finished up with three wins during Saturday's 12-race program, as did driver Fern Paquet, Jr.

Driver Claude Huckabone, III collected a pair of first-place finishes during the track's 66th racing card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Plano, who didn’t begin competing here until Vernon's 58th season was well underway, currently is fourth in driving victories with 42 and second in training tallies with 30... Maiden-breaking victories were produced during the evening by the 2-year-old trotting filly Painite (2:01.1, owned by trainer/driver Roman Lopez and his partners, Mitchell Frair and Michael Pozefsky, and Irwin Samelman's 2-year-old pacing colt Wild Shot Hanover (1:58)... The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week. Thursday's program will feature New York Sire Stakes racing for 3-year-old filly trotter and 3-year-old male trotters... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Handsoffmycookie is Fastest in New York Sire Stakes

2011-09-17T07:22:00.004-04:00

Handsoffmycookie continued her near flawless form with a 1:54 victory in the fastest of four divisions during Friday night's $121,240 New York Sire Stakes feature for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Vernon Downs.

Competing as the favorite in the final NYSS flight (race 10), Handsoffmycookie ($2.20) was never headed en route to a solid score that improved her brief but brilliant career summary to six wins and a second-place finish in seven starts.

Tim Tetrick did the catch-driving for trainer Scott Di Domenico and the JFE Enterprises as the bay daughter of Art Major-Observe Me collected her fifth NYSS score and improved her lifetime winnings to more than $191,000.

She also posted a career-best 1:52.4 score in a Sweetheart series prelim at The Meadowlands on Aug. 12, but lost by a head in the Sweetheart final on Aug. 20.

Friday's other NYSS divisional winners were Major Look (Art Major-Band Of Emeralds), in 1:54.3 with Brandon Simpson driving for trainer Robert Riddle and owner Joseph Balkunas; Up Front Sharon (American Ideal-Jett Diamond), in 1:55 with Jim Morrill, Jr. teaming for trainer Mark Ford and his ownership partner C. Ed. Mullinax; and Bella Marta (Art Major-Noble Martha), in 1:56.1 with trainer Simpson steering for part-owner Vincent Costa, Jr. and the Dirk Simpson Stable.

The favorite Union Man Hanover ($2.80) was the fastest divisional winner in Friday's NYSS-sponsored $49,300 late-closing contest for 2-year-old male pacers.

Tetrick did the teaming for trainer Linda Toscano and owners Daniel J. Baer, the Bay's Stable and the Stake Your Claim Stable, as the bay son of Artiscape-Up Front Rose collected his second career tally and improved his speed mark to 1:55.4 with a front striding effort in the evening's third race.

The winner of more than $50,500 sports a 2-1-2 summary line after nine trips to the track.

Friday's other late-closing winners were Memory King (Riverboat King-Musical Memory), in 1:56.1 with Morrill, Jr. steering for trainer Erv Miller and the Red Barn Stable; Captain Art (Artiscape-Jenna's Boy), in 1:56.1 with Tetrick teaming for trainer Noel Daley and the Bay Pond Racing Stable; and Alex Shredder (Artiscape-Mama Nukes), in 1:56.3 with Morrill, Jr. sitting in for trainer Miller of the Ervin Miller Stable and his partner Harvey Eisman.

Newcomer In Focus forged a 1:54.2 tally in Friday's $10,000 Open-1 trotting test.

Marcus Johansson handled the reins for trainer Jimmy Takter as the career-winner of more than $950,500 earned his fourth current victory and 21st lifetime triumph.

The 6-year-old son of S J's Photo-Beverly Crusher is shared in ownership by Christina Takter, John D. and Jim H. Fielding.

Tetrick, North America's dash-winning leader, and Morrill, Jr. each finished Friday's 12-race card with three victories, while Simpson, local driver/trainer Dan Daley and trainer Miller each contributed a pair of first-place finishes.

DOWNS DOINGS - Memory King's time was just 3/5ths-of-a-second off the track's season's-best time for 2-year-old gelding pacers, while Handsoffmycookie's clocking was just 4/5ths-of-a-second off the track's 2011 speed standard for her age, sex and gait... The Downs will present another 12-race card on Saturday night (Sept. 16) that will begin at 6:55 p.m. and include the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race 10... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

5 in a row for Harlem Rockturne

2011-09-16T06:10:00.004-04:00

Harlem Rockturne continued her superiority in the female Open pacing class with a 1:53.3 victory in Thursday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Competing as the favorite from the seven post position, Harlem Rockturne ($4.80) sat patiently behind the pace-setter, newcomer Slomotion, and pocket-sitter, Eagle Hilarious, until the final quarter, and then was let loose by driver Jimmy Whittemore and she prevailed by more than two lengths.

Thursday's tally was the fifth in succession and fourth at the Downs, tying fellow side-wheeler Rosa Villa and the trotter Mr. Web Page for the longest local equine winning streaks after 64 programs.

It marked the eighth win this season and the ninth all-time for the steady-going 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Capericorn, who is owned and trained by Whittemore's father, Dennis.

The career-winner of more than $74,000 came within one-fifth of a second of her speed mark, earned here on Aug. 25.

Whittemore, the two-time defending driving champ and current leader with 87 first-place finishes, also won with the pacers Swift Escape (1:58.2) and Laugh Away (1:54.4) to chalk up his meet-leading seventh triple of the local campaign.

Drivers Frank Milby, Rick Plano, as well as trainers Dennis Whittemore and Mary Fisher picked up a pair of victories during Thursday's 12-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - The 2-year-old trotting filly The Sorceress secured her maiden-breaking win after a 2:01.1 performance in Thursday's sixth event. Driver/trainer John Stark, Jr. shares ownership of the Muscles Yankee-Oh Oh It's Magic-offspring along with E. Carlyle Smith, David Smith and Jim Giannuzzi... The Downs will present a 12-race program tomorrow night (Sept. 16) that includes an Open-1 trot, four divisions of New York Sire Stakes 2-year-old filly pace and a like number of flights of a NYSS-sponsored late-closing contest for first-year colt & gelding pacers. First post will be at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

For A Dancer Still Perfect and now a track record holder

2011-09-11T07:00:00.004-04:00

Vernon Downs celebrated its second track record performance of the weekend after the undefeated For A Dancer delivered a 1:56 performance in a division of Saturday's $121,591 New York Sires Stake that trimmed one-fifth of a second off the previous local standard for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

Competing in the final flight of the state sponsored event, that was inherited from Tioga Downs due to extreme weather and flooding conditions in the Southern Tier, For A Dancer took charge of the non-betting contest after a :27.4 opening quarter and remained in command to the finish, defeating Anandamide by more than three lengths.

The time was a fresh mark for the bay daughter of Conway Hall-Fluttering Wings, and it kept her season's summary line unblemished after seven starts.

Jeff Gregory did the teaming for trainer Joe Holloway and the Bluestone Farms.

Upside Hanover had authored the previous 1:56.1 frosh filly trotting record with Brian Sears driving on Sept. 2.

Saturday's other victorious fillies in the non-betting NYSS feature were Lima Playmate (Credit Winner-Pacific Legacy), in 1:58.4 for trainer/driver Ray Schnittker and his ownership partner, the Lima Playmate Stable; and Borrow And Spend (Credit Winner-Armbro Déjà vu), in 1:59.3 for trainer/driver Schnittker and his ownership partner, the Borrow & Spend Stable.

Saturday's NYSS success was the fifth win in a row and the eighth in 10 trips to the track for Lima Playmate, while Borrow And Spend secured her fourth score in 11 appearances.

In another non-betting race prior to the track's wagering card, Joe Bongiorno steered Bo Didley N to a fast-closing 2:01.3 victory in Vernon's $3,000 leg of the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters.

Scott Mongeon conditions the 9-year-old gelding for owner Barbara Bongiorno.

Driver Rick Plano recorded three first-place finishes during Vernon's 10-race parimutuel program, including a 1:51.4 triumph with Pacinello in the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace.

The current Downs record-holder (aged pacing horses) closed like a gate in the wind during the final furlong to collect his fourth win at the meet, sixth score in 2011 and 26th all-time.

The career-winner of more than $282,000 is owned by the D & E Racing contingent.

Driver Chris Lems also logged a pair of victories during the track's 63rd betting program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Autumn Escapade had established a 1:53.2 record for older trotting mares in Vernon's $25,000 leg of the Miss Versatility Series on Friday evening... Saturday's sixth race was dedicated to long-time track employee Tommy Saurez, who will be retiring at the conclusion of Vernon's 58th season... The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Track Record for Autumn Escapade in Miss Versatility

2011-09-10T05:37:00.004-04:00

Autumn Escapade lowered the track record for older trotting mares to 1:53.2 with her gate-to-wire victory in Friday night's $25,000 leg of the Miss Versatility Series at Vernon Downs.

With David Miller doing the teaming for trainer Jonas Czernyson in Friday's eighth race, the third and final series preliminary round, the favorite Autumn Escapade ($3.80) flashed fast foot from the start, trotting through splits of :28 seconds, :57.2 and 1:26 en route to a three-quarter length triumph over the closing Action-Broadway.

Pembroke Heat Wave finished third.

In addition to improving on the former 1:54.3 Downs standard for aged mares on the diagonal gait (set by Buck I St. Pat in 2009), Autumn Escapade earned her third season's score—second in the series--and 24th lifetime victory.

The gritty performance by the brown daughter of Victory Sam-Winning Colors K raised her career bankroll to more than $715,600 for Miller and Misty Miller.

It also resulted in the third fastest trotting mile in the track's 58-year history.

Two races later, Miller piloted the Ray Schnittker-trained Flex The Muscle ($2.50) to a 1:54.3 triumph in Vernon's last event, just missing the track's 1:54 record for 4-year-old trotting horses (established by Winning Master in 2010).

Gaining the lead after the quarter, the bay son of Muscles Yankee-Alix Hall continued on to a solid score over Play Right in the week's $10,000 Open-1 contest.

It marked the fourth season's win and 17th lifetime victory for the career winner of more than $587,100, who is shared in ownership by Schnittker, Jerry Silva and the Arden Homestead Stable.

In addition to Miller, Claude Huckabone, III also collected a pair of first-place finishes during Friday's 10-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Previous Miss Versatility leg winners in 2011 included Autumn Escapade in 1:52.3 at Tioga Downs on June 19 and Action-Broadway in 1:52.3 at the Meadowlands on July 29. The series top point producers will compete in the Miss Versatility final at Delaware, Ohio later this month... Dennis Whittemore's Under The Stars tied fellow trotter Mr. Web Page at five for most wins by a diagonally-gated performer at the meet, following his 1:57.2 tally for leading driver Jimmy Whittemore in race two. The pacer Rosa Villa is tops in equine triumphs after 62 programs with seven... Sir Prize Hall, the ninth race winner in 1:58.2, was claimed for $8,000 by Lester Gelardi, Bobby Orr and Jerry Jacobs, making him the second-highest priced trotter claimed at the meet. The current trotting mark is $10,000 (paid for Malevich Hanover on June 3), while the pacing high is $14,000 (paid for McIdle on May 30)... Because of the cancellation of racing at Tioga Downs this weekend, due to emergency weather conditions in the Southern Tier, Vernon has inherited three divisions of a New York Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters, which will be raced tomorrow evening as non-betting events starting at 5:30 p.m., prior to a non-betting leg of the C.K.G Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters, and Saturday's 10-race pari-mutuel program... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Harlem Rockturne Wins Again for Team Whittemore

2011-09-09T09:21:00.003-04:00

The favorite Harlem Rockturne lived up to her advanced billing with a front-striding 1:53.2 triumph in Thursday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore did the steering and kept Harlem Rockturne ($2.80) on the bit through splits of ::27.1, :56.3 and 1:24.3 en route to a one length tally over the pocket-sitting By All Means in the week's Open test for female proponents of the lateral gait.

Thursday's clocking tied the personal-best performance by the 4-year-old mare, turned in during her previous appearance here on Aug. 26.

It marked the fourth score in succession (third at the Downs), seventh this season and eighth all-time for the bay daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Capericorn.

Trainer Dennis Whittemore (Jimmy's dad) owns the career winner of $69,375.

Whittemore went on to win the next two events (Canaco Star in 1:55.3 and Donna Party in 1:56), giving him 82 first-place finishes in 61 programs, and hiking his triple tally for the meet to six.

Driver Claude Huckabone, III also piloted a pair of winners during Thursday's nine-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Donna Party's fast-closing victory was a maiden-breaking performance for the 2-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native-Survive, who is trained by Dennis Whittemore and owned by Elliot Misshula and Richard Fielding... Friday night's 10-race program, which begins at 6:55 p.m., includes Vernon's $25,000 leg of this year's Miss Versatility Series, an Open event for mare representatives of the diagonal gait. A field of six formidable female will do battle in Friday's eighth event. The card also includes the week's $10,000 Open for local trotters in the evening's nightcap... Because of the cancellation of racing at Tioga Downs this weekend, due to emergency weather conditions in the Southern Tier, Vernon will inherit three divisions of a New York Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly trotters, which will be raced as non-betting events starting at 5:30 p.m., prior to a leg of the C.K.G Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters and Saturday's nine-race pari-mutuel program... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Thanks For Stoppin Takes Labor Day Feature

2011-09-05T20:23:00.003-04:00

Thanks For Stoppin shook loose late to secure his second season's score in Monday afternoon's $8,400 Open-II pace at Vernon Downs.

Leon Bailey did the catch-driving for trainer Bob Bloodgood as Thanks For Stoppin ($8.70) rallied from fifth in the early going and closed from fourth with approximately 300 yards of pay dirt remaining to post a 1-1/4 length victory over the pace-setting Handsome Harry in Vernon's seventh race feature.

The favorite, Shamderock, finished third.

The 1:53.2 clocking over a rain-soaked, "sloppy" course was the fastest of the day's 11 races, and gave Patricia Hogan's 6-year-old gelding his first local win after four appearances.

The fast-closing effort resulted in the 12th lifetime tally for the bay son of Real Artist-Pacific Wildfire, who increased his career bankroll to nearly $160,000.

Veteran Rick Plano, who recorded a driving triple here last Saturday, scored with the pacers Richie The Clown (1:57.2), Dragon's Breath (1:56.1) and The Grey Bullet (1:56.1), hiking his victory count to 32 after 60 programs and taking over fourth place on the track's dashes-won chart.

DOWNS DOINGS - With one-third of Vernon's 90-card campaign remaining, Jimmy Whittemore sets the pace in driving victories with 79, followed by newcomer Frank Milby with 55 and Chris Lems with 49... The Downs will also present live programs at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday this weekend... Friday night's feature will be Vernon's $150,000 (est.) leg of the Miss Versatility open mare trot... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Sir Prize Hall Trots to Saturday Night Feature Win

2011-09-04T07:48:00.003-04:00

The veteran trotter Sir Prize Hall benefited from a pocket trip en route to a 1:57 victory in Saturday night's $5,500 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Chris Lems did the steering for trainer Jessica Okusko as Sir Prize Hall ($9.70) drafted along behind the leader Paco In The Sky until the top of the stretch, and then rallied in pay dirt to record a head victory over the fast-closing Ivanhoe Diamant.

Brilliant Thunder finished third.

Saturday's score was the second in a row, fourth this season and 19th all-time for the 6-year-old son of Conway Hall-Prize Chip.

Conrad Zurich owns the career winner of more than $172,200, who achieved his 1:56.2 record here in 2009.

Veteran reinsman Rick Plano and former local provisional champ Leon Bailey each posted three wins during Saturday's 12-race card, while driver Frank Milby and trainer Dan Daley were each credited with a pair of first-place finishes.

Current leading provisional driver Truman Gale achieved his 17th score during the track's 59th program.

DOWNS DOINGS - The freshman pacing colt No Foreign Xchange (Allamerican Ingot-Allamerican Fancy) earned his first career victory after Brian Connor steered him to a 1:56 decision in the evening's eighth event for trainer Janice Connor (Brian's mom) and owner John Stronka... Vernon will present an 11-race program at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 5... The Downs will also offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday nights next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Superstar trotter San Pail wins $218,000 Credit Winner in track record performance

2011-09-03T06:08:00.006-04:00

Track record performances were produced by San Pail and Upside Hanover during Friday night's $691,300 End Of The Summer Showdown program at Vernon Downs.

San Pail, the top-ranked trotter in North America, extended his winning streak to three with a 1:51.1 victory in Friday's $218,000 Credit Winner Open trot, while Upside Hanover earned her second career victory and a 1:56.1 record in a division of the $72,600 Acorn (Historic Series) Stake for 2-year-old trotting fillies.

Following Action-Broadway's 1:54.2 triumph in the evening's $164,000 Muscle Hill aged mare trot, San Pail rallied from fifth in the early going and closed from third in the final furlong to defeat the fast-striding Lucky Jim by a neck in Friday's eighth event.

The tight tally improved his season's summary to 10 wins and a pair of second-place finishes in 12 starts, and it trimmed 1/5th-of-a-second off the former track standard for aged trotting geldings, which, ironically, was established by Lucky Jim last year.

Randy Waples drove San Pail for co-owner/trainer Rodney Hughes and his partner Glenn Van Camp as the 7-year-old son of San Pellegrino-Village Beauty collected his 45th career win credit and increased his lifetime earnings to more than $2,465,600.

Action-Broadway's victory gave former Downs three-time driving champion Brian Sears four wins during Friday's nine-race card.

The fast-closing, head triumph marked the 10th this season and the 19th overall for the 4-year-old daughter of Broadway Hall-Photo With Molly, who is conditioned by Virgil Morgan, Jr., and owned by Kenneth Sommer.

The win over the pace-setting Autumn Escapade increased her career bankroll to $743,310.

With Sears steering for trainer Robert Krivelin and the Hero Stables, Upside Hanover (Muscles Yankee-Up Front Laura) headed, and then passed the front-striding Aldebaran Malibu in the final quarter and cut 3/5ths-of-a-second off the former track standard for frosh female proponents of the diagonal gait, which had been established by Seducedbychocolate in 2010.

Local trainer Gates Brunet urged Cowgirl Hall (Cash Hall-Centerfold Hall) on to a front-ending 1:57 score in the second Acorn Stake division for owners Theodore Gewertz, Michael Rosenthal, Jean Brunet and Debora Brunet (Gate's wife).

Friday's other Historic Series winners included Mcerlean (Mcardle-Igottwowordsforyou), in 1:53 in the Goshen Cup for 2-year-old male pacers, with Tim Tetrick teaming for trainer John Berger and owners Barbara Berger and John Siena; American Gangster (Andover Hall-Four Starz Lindy), in 1:55.3 in the E. H. Harriman Cup for freshman male trotters, with Sears sitting in for trainer Chris Oakes and owners Vincent J. Tudisco, Matt V. Tudisco and the Hauser Brothers Racing Enterprises; and Blackjack Princess (Cam's Card Shark-Happy Doris), in 1:54.2 in the Debutante Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers, with Sears steering for trainer Mark Ford and owner Robert O. Di Nozzi.

Versado captured the week's $10,000 Open pace in 1:51, with Tetrick driving for trainer Ron Burke and owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold, Weaver Bruscemi, LLC and the Burke Racing Stables, while the $10,000 Open trot went to A Crown For Lindy, in 1:56 with Tetrick teaming for trainer Frank Antonacci and the Lindy Racing Stable.

Tetrick ended the evening with three driving victories.

DOWNS DOINGS - American Gangster's time was just 1/5th-of-a-second off the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts... Versado's clocking was just 2/5ths-of-a-second off the track mark for 4-year-old pacing geldings... Action-Broadway's 1:54.2 triumph bettered the track standard for aged trotting mares, but fell 1-and- 2/5ths-seconds shy of the Vernon mark for 4-year-old trotting mares, set by Southwind Wasabi in 2010... A Crown For Lindy's 1:56 tally was just 4/5ths-of-a-second off the Downs record for aged trotting horses, currently shared by Fight Cheer (2009) and John Paul's Legacy (2010)... Rich Hilts won the 2011 Toyota Corolla automobile in Friday's Horse Play Car Giveaway promotion... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Buck I St Pat and San Pail lead Vernon features on Friday night

2011-08-31T13:26:00.005-04:00

The $164,000 Muscle Hill Open Mare trot and its counterpart, the $218,000 Credit Winner open trot, lead a 9-race card set to go to the post at Vernon Downs on Friday, September 2nd at 6:55 pm.

San Pail, fresh off back to back victories in the Maple Leaf Trot and Nat Ray, has drawn post position number two against a field of eight set to go postward in race number eight.

Randy Waples, who regularly pilots San Pail, will once again be in the sulky to guide the winner of more than $2.3 million lifetime for trainer Rodney Hughes.

Some of his main threats in the field are Il Villaggio and Jody Jamieson, who recently won at Indiana Downs in 1:53.

Also, Lucky Jim will look to become a repeat winner of the event after setting the stakes record of 1:52 last year.

Lucky Jim has drawn post position number eight and will be handled for the very first time by Tim Tetrick for trainer Erv Miller.

In the Muscle Hill, Buck I St Pat has been dubbed the 5-2 morning line favorite coming off a two-length victory in a $100,000 Open trot at Chester Downs.

The 8-year-old daughter of Jailhouse Jessie – Name It Something has made in excess of $2.3 million lifetime and won the Muscle Hill event in 2009.

Her main competition will come to her inside, post two, Jersey As, who posted a mild upset on Hambletonian Day in the Matchmaker beating Buck I St Pat in 1:51.3.

Action Broadway will also look to knock off the queen of the trotting ranks leaving from post position number one.

Brian Sears will drive the Armbro Flight champion, who upset in Canada at odds of 27-1 for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr.

Defending Muscle Hill Champion, Yursa Hanover, will look to be the first repeat performer ever in the event and has drawn post eight with Hall of Famer, John Campbell, in the sulky.

Also on tap for Friday night at Vernon Downs will be the 2-year-old Historic Series races, the final of the 2011 Horseplay Car Giveaway, Mystery Voucher night, and fireworks following live racing.

Below are the fields for the Muscle Hill and Credit Winner:
Race 7
$164,000 Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot
# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER
1 1 Action-Broadway Brian Sears Virgil Morgan Jr.
2 2 Jersey AS Randy Waples Anette Lorentzon
3 3 Pembroke Heat Wave Paul Macdonell Mark Ford
4 4 Buck I St Pat Tim Tetrick Ron Burke
5 5 Autumn Escapade David Miller Jonas Czernyson
6 6 Ginger Tree Wanda Jim Morrill Jr. Doreen Dailey
7 7 Sea Raven Jody Jamieson Kay Gannon
8 8 Yursa Hanover John Campbell Jonas Czernyson

Race 8:
$218,000 Credit Winner Open Trot
# PP HORSE DRIVER TRAINER
1 4 All Cantab Jim Morrill Jr. Blair Burgess
1A 6 Il Villaggio Jody Jamieson Blair Burgess
2 1 Define The World Paul Macdonell John Bax
3 2 San Pail Randy Waples Rodney Hughes
4 3 Hot Shot Blue Chip Brian Sears Jonas Czernyson
5 5 Take My Picture David Miller Nikolas Drennan
6 7 Pembroke Prayer John Campbell Mark Ford
7 8 Lucky Jim Tim Tetrick Erv Miller

For more information please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com

Track Record Falls Not Once, but Twice on Saturday Night

2011-08-28T08:25:00.003-04:00

The track record for 3-year-old pacing geldings was equaled and, later, bettered during Saturday night's $147,867 New York Sires Stake action at Vernon Downs.

In race seven, Mojo Terror tied the 1:50.4 standard for sophomore altered side-wheelers that had been set by Getting Personal in 1993, before Fantaddy improved it with his 1:50.2 performance three races later.

Mojo Terror had noted catch-driver Jim Morrill, Jr. at the controls when he came on late to earn a fresh win- mark and his second straight NYSS score.

It resulted in the 10th season's tally and the 11th lifetime victory for the black son of Western Terror-Winning Mojo, who is trained by Chris Oakes and owned by the Bulletproof Enterprises.

Before the ink had dried on that recording, Fantaddy rallied from third in the final furlong to trim two-fifths of a second off the former record with his ¾-length triumph in the event's final division.

Morrill, Jr. did the steering for trainer Tony O’Sullivan and Canadian owner John D. Fielding as the brown son of Bettor's Delight-Lifetime Member secured his seventh season's score and eighth lifetime tally.

Saturday's other divisional winner in this class was Dream Of New York, who eked out a neck victory in the fourth race, with Pat Lachance doing the teaming for trainer Bruce Saunders and the M&M Harness Racing stable.

The time was a new mark for the bay son of Art Major-Ms. Avondale, who has authored five wins in 2011 and six all time.

Lotto Winner's 1:58 performance in Saturday's third event proved the fastest divisional posting in a $49,400 NYSS-sponsored late-closing contest for 3-year-old filly trotters.

Sam Schillaci sat in for trainer John Stark, Jr. and owner Sam Schillaci, Jr. as the black daughter of Credit Winner-Duolotta extended her current winning streak to three, all in late-closing competition.

It marked her sixth lifetime victory.

Saturday's other filly flight winners were Dreamgirl Lindy (Credit Winner-Winter Dreams), in 1:58.1 with trainer Frank Antonacci driving for the Lindy Racing Stable; State Fair (Dream Vacation-Gracious Speed), in 1:58.3 with Joe Nassimos sulky-sitting for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr. and the Bay Pond Racing Stable; and In Your Room (CR Excalibur-Chris Image), in 1:59.1 with trainer Eric Mollor chauffeuring for the Classico Stables.

Mata Harry captured Saturday's $10,000 Open-1 pace in 1:51.4, with Chris Lems piloting for trainer Dennis Whittemore and owner Elliot Misshula, while the week's Open-2 pacing clash went to Pictonian Pride, in 1:51.3 with Jordan Stratton catch-driving for trainer Claude Huckabone, III and owner Michael Sorrentino, Jr.

Morrill, Jr. and Schillaci each chalked up two wins during Saturday's 12-race card, as did trainer Okusko, Sr.

DOWNS DOINGS - There will be no live racing at the Downs on Thursday (Sept. 1) due to a special 1:15 matinee program here on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 5)... Live racing will resume at 6:55 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 2 and 3)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Kindergarten Classic Series Kicks Off Friday Night

2011-08-27T08:05:00.004-04:00

Vic Smith emerged as the standout performer in Friday night's $60,000 opening round of this season's Kindergarten Classic series for 2-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.

Competing in the $10,000 first race for male proponents of the diagonal gait, Vic Smith was urged to the front by Andy Miller and didn't look back en route to a convincing 1:56 triumph that proved to be the fastest mile by a freshman high-stepper through 56 local programs.

Friday's career-best tally was the fourth in succession for the undefeated bay son of Yankee Glide-PJ Naomi, who is trained by Julie Miller and owned by the Andy Miller and Baron Racing stables.

Lady Andi was the swiftest winner in the event's filly flight, rallying from third at the half and closing from second in the stretch to record a 1:59 maiden-breaking victory, with local driver Chris Lems doing the steering for veteran conditioner Larry Rathbone.

It was the fourth career start for the brown daughter of Andover Hall-Lady Lifter, who is shared in ownership by the M&L Stable of Delaware and the Little E LLC Stable.

Friday's other first-place finishers in the colt/gelding division were A Penny Earned, in 1:57.4 for driver Howard Okusko, Jr., trainer George Ducharme and his ownership partners Paul Fontaine, Nicola Oliva and Alfred Ross, and Gym Tan Laundry, in a maiden-breaking 2:00.1 performance with James Rattray doing the teaming for trainer Noel Daley and the Adam Victor & Son Stable.

Additional filly scores were posted by She's All In, in a maiden-breaking 2:00 effort with Miller sitting in for trainer Rick Plano and owner Richard C. Plano, and Sandra Volo, in a fast-closing 2:01.2 effort for owner, trainer and driver Jan Johnson.

The Howard Stable's 5-year-old trotter Grey Ice delivered his second straight score in Friday's $10,000 10th event, the week's Open-1 contest.

Jimmy Whittemore drove for trainer Guy Howard as the grey gelding collected his fourth season's score and 11th lifetime win.

Miller, Lems, Okusko, Jr. and Whittemore all logged twin tallies during Friday's 12-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Kindergarten series will continue with a pair of legs at Kentucky's Red Mile before returning to Vernon for a fourth leg and the championship finals... Gym Tan Laundry became the fastest 2-year-old trotting gelding of the season locally after his 200.1 score in Friday's $10,000 eighth event... Other impressive 2-year-old winners during Friday's program were the trotting colt Muscolo, in a career-best 1:57.4 for driver and trainer Ray Schnittker, and the pacing filly Canamerica, with trainer and part-owner John Stark, Jr. doing the steering... Saturday's 12-race program, which includes a pair of New York Sires events (three divisions of a 3-year-old colt/gelding pace and four flights of a late-closing contest for 3-year-old filly trotter), plus the week's Open-1 pace, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Glorious Winner Goes Fastest in Late Closer Series

2011-08-26T08:36:00.004-04:00

Glorious Winner recorded the fastest mile, while Small Bills and Cash Poor continued their recent success in divisions of Thursday night's $49,400 New York Sires Stakes-sponsored late-closing contest for 3-year-old male trotters at Vernon Downs.

With LeWayne Miller steering for trainer Erv Miller in Thursday's $12,300 sixth race, Glorious Winner rallied from fifth in the early going and closed from second in the homestretch to secure his seventh season's score (fourth against late-closing opponents) and a 1:57 lifetime mark, that cut a full second off his previous win record.

The bay son of Credit Winner-Fox Valley Flan is owned by his breeders, the Tanah Merah Farms.

Small Bills collected his third straight late-closing victory and fourth this season when Stephane Bouchard directed the bay son of Cash Hall-Mini Shuttle to a lifetime-best 1:57.2 triumph in Thursday's $12,400 eighth event.

Dave Jannone conditions the four-time career winner for owners Michelle C. and Albert C. Crawford.

Trainer John Stark, Jr. picked up a driving double during Thursday's 10-race program after steering Cash Poor to his second win in succession, and a 1:58 speed-mark in the $12,300 ninth race.

It marked the second season's score and eighth lifetime win for the bay son of Cash Hall-Meadow Gal, who is owned by the Kellogg Racing Stables.

Miller was also in the sulky, catch-driving for trainer and part-owner Kimberly Burris, as Mystical Mikel prevailed with a 1:59 effort in the evening's $12,400 fourth event.

It was the second late-closing win locally, third tally this season and fourth all-time for the bay son of Conway Hall-Fancy Crown, who is also shared in ownership by Joseph Budney.

Harlem Rockturne recorded her third win in a row with a 1:53.2 career-best showing in Thursday's $10,000 fifth race, the week's Open test for female pacers.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore drove for his dad, trainer and owner Dennis Whittemore, as the 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Capericorn chalked up her second straight win in this top "overnight" class, sixth in 2011 and seventh all-time.

The veteran pacing mare Rosa Ville became the meet's winningest equine following a 1:55.4 score for driver and trainer Frank Davis in Thursday's 10th event.

It was the seventh local score this season and the 22nd lifetime triumph for the chestnut daughter of The Panderosa-Retrieve Almahurst, who is owned by Brian Green.

DOWNS DOINGS - Stark's other tally was with his sister's (Laurie) trained pacer Fortune Fantasy in Thursday's third event... Friday's 12-race card, that begins at 6:55 p.m., features six $10,000 divisions in the opening round of the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-old trotters (three for males and a like number for females), plus this week's $10,000 Open-1 trot... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vernon Downs releases new Mr. G's Restaurant commercial

2011-08-24T15:43:00.003-04:00

Vernon Downs has added a new dimension to its property with Mr. G's Restaurant at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel.

Vernon Downs and its ad agency designed a catchy commercial to integrate horse racing and the grand opening of the restaurant that can be seen below.

The voiceover was done by Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing for Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Pacinello Survives Stretch Duel to Win Saturday Feature

2011-08-21T10:32:00.003-04:00

The favorite Pacinello won out in a head-to-head stretch duel with third wagering choice, Mata Harry, before posting a neck victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Luke Plano, who completed a driving double with the 1:52.1 triumph, sat in for his father, trainer Rick Plano, as Pacinello ($5.60) raced overland from fifth in the early going, and closed from third in the stretch to out-stride the pocket-setting Mata Harry in a :26.4 final quarter.

The mile-cutter, Mystical Valentine, ended up third in the week's Open-1 pace.

Saturday's first-place finish was the third at the meet, fifth this season and 25th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara, who is owned by the D&E Racing Stable.

The career-winner of more than $274,000 also provided trainer Plano with a pair of first-place finishes during the 12-race program.

Fastest-mile-of-the-night honors went to Maryann Plano's 5-year-old pacer Hay Goodlooking, who front-ended his way to a 1:52 victory with Luke steering for his dad in Saturday's $8,000 fifth event, the weekend's Open-2 contest.

DOWNS DOINGS - Rick Plano also produced a catch-driving win during the card, guiding the trotter Enlightened to a 1:58.4 score in the evening's sixth event for trainer John Minckler and owner Greg Robinson... Provisional drivers Truman Gale (Big Al's Delight), Brandon Loomis (Bunk) and Leslie Hale (P L Eclipse) all recorded first-place finishes during the track's 54th program of 2011... The freshman trotting colt Paper Backed Lindy (Chocolatier-A Girl Named Sugar) captured his career debut in 1:59.4 with Domenico Cecere teaming for trainer Frank Antonacci, the Lindy Racing and the Fred Monteleone stables in Saturday's third event... Vernon will present live racing Thursday-Saturday next week, with first post each evening at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

For A Dancer Remains Undefeated with New York Sire Stakes Win

2011-08-20T07:25:00.004-04:00

For A Dancer remained undefeated through five career starts and tied Lima Playmate at 1:57 for fastest mile-of-the-season honors in her class locally during Friday night's $119,043 New York Sire Stakes feature for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Vernon Downs.

With Steve Smith steering for trainer Joe Holloway and the Bluestone Farms in Friday's sixth division, For A Dancer (Conway Hall-Fluttering Wings) wired her seven rivals to record her fourth straight stakes score (three in NYSS events and one in the Reynolds contest at Pocono Downs).

The 1:57 performance tied her personal-best clocking, equaled Lima Playmate's winning time, which occurred one race earlier, and came within one-fifth-of-a-second of the all-time Vernon standard for her age, sex and gait, set by Seducedbychocolate on Sept. 24 last year.

Lima Playmate (Credit Winner-Pacific Legacy) led throughout her mile, before winning impressively and trimming two-fifths-of-a-second off the previous local season's clocking for this class, set by Win Missy B last Friday.

Trainer Ray Schnittker, who is an ownership partner of the talented distaffer along with the Lima Playmate Stable, helped the black daughter of Credit Winner-Pacific Legacy improve her lifetime summary to six stakes scores (five in NYSS action and one in the Tompkins-Geers test at Tioga Downs) and a third-place finish in eight appearances.

Friday's other NYSS divisional winners included The Heart Lives On (RC Royalty-Cunning Vixen), in 1:57.4 for driver Jim Morrill, Jr., trainer Octavia Rappoport and owner Carolyn Meinwald; Borrow And Spend (Credit Winner-Armbro Déjà Vu), in 1:58.3 for trainer/driver and co-owner Schnittker and the Borrow & Spend Stable; Adreamcomestrue As (Conway Hall-Yankee Jeanie), in 1:58.4 for driver Marcus Johansson, trainer Anette Lorentzon and the ACL Stuteri Ab group; Montana Skies (Conway Hall-Montana Maple), in 1:58.4 for Morrill, Jr., trainer Trond Smedshammer, Robert Feldman and the American Viking Racing Stable; and Getinonthesecret (Conway Hall-Missy's Mission) in 1:59 for trainer/driver Dan Daley, his wife, Ann-Mari, Richard Lombardo and Murray Ferguson, Jr.

White Jade recorded the swiftest divisional tally in Friday's $37,200 NYSS-sponsored late-closing contest for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Morrill, Jr. did the teaming as the speedy daughter of American Ideal-Aries Conquest chopped three-and-one-fifth-seconds off her previous win-mark and came within four-fifths-of-a-second of the Vernon standard for this set, which was set by See You At Peelers on July 9.

Erv Miller conditions the five-time current winner for the Tanah Merah Farms.

Friday's other late-closing victories were recorded by Western Kerry (Western Terror-Kerry Kate), in 1:53.4 with Stephane Bouchard steering for trainer Ray Van Dreason, and owners Jim Kennedy, Jim Kennedy, Jr. and Dave Towne; and Arlington Ave (Riverboat King-Ph Factor), in 1:54.4 with Kim Crawford piloting for trainer Maureen Salino, and the De Ca Sa Stables, William Salmeri, Arthur Lucarelli and George Berkner ownership contingent.

DOWNS DOINGS - Ten of Friday's 12 winners earned personal best records, while For A Dancer equaled her career win-mark... The performances by Adreamcomestrue As and Getinonthesecret were maiden-breaking victories... Saturday's 12-race card, which includes Open-1 and Open-2 challenges, begins at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Harlem Rockturne Takes Thursday feature for Whittemores

2011-08-19T08:56:00.005-04:00

The favorite Harlem Rockturne won her Vernon Downs debut after a career-best 1:53.3 performance in Thursday night's $7,000 featured sixth race.

Competing in a driving rain against six select female pacers, Harlem Rockturne ($5.10) led through splits of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:24.4 en route to a 2-3/4 length triumph over Blueridge Betty.

Thursday's strong showing came on the heels of a 1:56 victory at Tioga Downs on Aug. 13.

It was the fifth season's score and sixth lifetime tally for the 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover-Capericorn, who bumped her career bankroll to $59,375.

Jimmy Whittemore did the teaming for his dad, owner and trainer Dennis Whittemore.

Whittemore, Vernon's dash-winning leader for the third straight season, earned a double during Thursday's 10-race program; as did his father (Dennis) and driver Brian Connor.

Thursday's third event saw the Winbak Farm's well-bred youngster Winbak Shake post a personal best 1:55.3 victory, with trainer John Stark, Jr. driving.

The fast-closing effort made the homebred son of Dream Away-Shake Rattle Run the fastest 2-year-old pacing gelding after 52 racing programs here in 2011.

DOWNS DOINGS - The altered freshman pacer Rock Man had established the previous 1:56.2 mark for his age, sex and gait here on July 1... New York Sires Stakes racing returns to the Downs tomorrow evening, with seven divisions for 2-year-old filly trotters and three flights of a late-closing contest for 3-year-old filly pacers. Friday's 12-race card begins at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

2-Year-Old Fillies on Night 2 of New York State Fair Races

2011-08-13T06:26:00.005-04:00

New York's future Standardbred stars were on display at Vernon Downs again on Friday night, competing in State Fair match-ups for 2-year-old filly trotters and freshmen female pacers that totaled $192,926 in prize money.

Win Missy B opened Friday's 12-race program with a front-striding 1:57.2 victory that proved to be the fastest mile of the season locally by a first-year filly trotter.

Trainer Charlie Norris did the teaming for owner Robert J. Key as the homebred bay daughter of Conway Hall-Winning Missbrenda earned her second win in five starts.

Brownsville Bomber delivered a fast-closing 1:53.1 triumph in Friday's third race that stands as Vernon's quickest mile by a 2-year-old filly pacer after 50 programs.

Fern Paquet, Jr. drove for trainer Edward Hart as the bay daughter of American Ideal-Cantor's Daughter secured a fresh speed mark and her second victory in five starts.

Joseph Betro, Ian Behar and the Kristie Leigh Farm share ownership of the speedy distaffer, who also won a division of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes in 1:54.3 at Tioga Downs on July 15.
Friday's other divisional winners in the $90,330 NY State Fair female trot were Montana Skies (Conway Hall-Montana Maple) in a 1:59 maiden-breaking performance with Jason Bartlett catch-driving for trainer Trond Smedshammer and owners Robert Feldman and the American Viking Racing Stable; Zanna Royal (RC Royalty-Zann's Fan) in 1:59.1 for trainer/driver Dan Daley and the Albert C. and Michelle C. Crawford, Ann-Mari Daley (Dan's wife) and Richard Lombardo ownership contingent; Lima Playmate (Credit Winner-Pacific Legacy) in 1:59.1 with trainer/part-owner Ray Schnittker driving for his client, the Lima Playmate Stable; Barbara Goldstein (Conway Hall-Amaris Hanover) in a life's best 1:59.1 with conditioner Kim Crawford doing the chauffeuring for owner Steven Goldstein, and Starglow Hall (Conway Hall-Smilin Matty) in 2:01.4 with Bartlett sitting in for trainer Chris Ryder and his ownership partners Max Wernick, Terry and Clarence Devos.

Divisional winners in the $102,596 NY State Fair filly pace also included JK Cracklin Rosie (American Ideal-J K On Broadway) in a career-best 1:54.4 with Bartlett steering for trainer Linda Toscano and the 3-Brothers Stable; Ryder Blue Chip (Art Major-Casino Miss) in 1:55.3 with Marcus Johansson sitting in for trainer Tony Alagna and the Louis Willinger, Aaron Waxman, Mystical Marker Farms and the Odds On Racing Stable ownership group; and Centralia Hanover (Art Major-Calgary Hanover) in a life's best 1:55.4 with Steve Smith sitting in for trainer Mark Harder and owners Rick Phillips and the W Springtime Racing Stable.

The Howard Stable's Grey Ice posted a personal best 1:55.2 clocking while winning Friday's $10,000 Open-1 trot with Paquet, Jr. doing the sulky-sitting for trainer Guy Howard.

DOWNS DOINGS - Centralia Hanover now sports four straight scores in NY Sires Stakes races, while Barbara Goldstein has collected three consecutive NYSS tallies... Lima Playmate, who has forged five wins in seven starts, also captured a flight of the Tompkins-Geers Stakes at Tioga in mid-July, earning her 1:58 record in the process... Saturday's 11-race program, which includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in event seven, will kick off at 6:55 p.m. and conclude "Corntastic Weekend" at the Downs... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Lawgiver Hanover and Royal Shyster Shine on Opening Night of State Fair Races

2011-08-12T09:54:00.001-04:00

New York Sires Stakes standouts Royal Shyster and Lawgiver Hanover produced the fastest divisional scores during Thursday night's $171,820 New York State Fair racing program at Vernon Downs.

Royal Shyster ($2.40) recorded a career-best 1:58.1 victory in the fourth division of Thursday's $83,688 NYSS-sponsored contest for 2-year-old colt/gelding trotters, while Lawgiver Hanover ($11.60) equaled his 1:53 record with a feisty first-place finish in the third flight of an $88,132 battle among New York-bred freshman male pacers.

With trainer Dan Daley driving for owners Ann-Mari Daley (Dan’s wife), Albert C. Crawford, Richard Lombardo and Robert Pergament, Royal Shyster powered to a convincing tally in Thursday's eighth event that improved his fledgling record to four wins and two second-place finishes in six career starts.

Three of his scores have come in NYSS action, while the other was a first-place finish in the Tompkins-Geers Stake at Tioga Downs on July 14.

The son of RC Royalty-Spin The Planet is now a winner of $54,437.

With Jim Morrill, Jr. teaming for trainer Mark Harder, Lawgiver Hanover, a son of Art Major-Lauren Order, hustled to a front-ending, ¾-length triumph in Thursday's ninth race that advanced his record to three wins and a second in four outings for owners Rick Phillips, Deena Rachel Frost and the W Springtime Racing Stable.

In addition to a pair of NYSS scores, the career-winner of nearly $36,000 secured his record in the Tompkins-Geers Stake at Tioga on July 17.

Thursday's other NYSF divisional winners in the trotting test were Credicity, in 1:59.2 for Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables; Coraggioso, in 1:59.4 for owners Joe Spadaro and Tom J. Durkin, and Archangel, in 1:59.4 for trainer/part-owner Peter Arrigenna and his partners Clare Semer and Alan Hainsworth.

Thursday's NYSF triumphs on the pace were by Forever Just, in 1:54.2, lifting his record to four wins (one in the Geers and three in NYSS action) and a second in five official appearances for Fred Wallace and the Stake Your Claim Stable; Raymond J, in 1:54.4 for local owner Ken Jacobs, and Glass Prince, in 1:55.1 for the Stake Your Claim Stable, improving his 2011 chart to three NYSS tallies, a second-place finish and a third in five starts.

Driver Tim Tetrick tallied four times during Thursday's 12-race card, Linda Toscano earned three training credits, while Morrill posted a driving double.

Newcomer Sold Out (part-owner and trainer Pat Lachance teaming for the Z Tam Stables), captured the week's $10,000 Open for female pacers with a life's best 1:54.3 performance in race seven.

DOWNS DOINGS - Seven of Thursday's winners earned win marks; while two others equaled their career-best clockings... Friday's 12-race card includes six divisional New York State Fair match-ups for 2-year-old filly trotters and four for first-year female pacers. First post will be at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Track Records Fall in Vernon Downs "Dashtonian" and "Vernontonian" Features

2011-08-07T00:36:00.004-04:00

Odd-distance track record performances by Lightning Prince and Ivanhoe Diamant, plus an Open pace victory by Forty Carrots were highlights of Saturday night's 10-race card at Vernon Downs.

Competing on a "good" track in the first half-mile dash (The Dashtonian) in the track's 58-year history, Lightning Prince ($17.00) paced to the front at the start and never looked back en route to a :55.1 triumph in the fourth race.

Frank Davis did the teaming for trainer Jennifer Sansone and owner James Topper as the 6-year-old son of Western Hanover-Cami Whitestocking earned his second win of the meet and 12th lifetime tally, while raising his lifetime earnings to more than $50,000.

One race later, Ivanhoe Diamant ($3.30) trimmed one-fifth of a second off the previous Vernon standard for trotters tackling the mile-and-three-eighths distance (The Vernontonian) with a front-striding 2:44.2 score.

Claude Huckabone, III drove for owner and trainer Tracy Brainard as the 7-year-old son of Prakas-Mon Amie Mic posted his second local tally, fourth season's score and 18th lifetime win.

The gritty gelding now sports career earnings of more than $175,000.

Forty Carrots ($9.90) collected his second straight victory and came within three-fifths-of-a-second of his all-time speed mark with a 1:52.4 score in Saturday night's $8,000 seventh session.

Luke Plano drove for trainer Ray Van Dreason as the 4-yeaar-old son of Riverboat King-Mathamomics rallied three wide from sixth in the early going and, later, closed from third in the stretch to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

It was the fourth current tally and 12th career win by the purse-earner of $191,271, who is shared in ownership by Richard C. Clair and Lance S. Gordon.

Drivers Davis, Luke Plano and trainer Brainard each visited the track's winner's circle twice during the track's 48th program of 2011.

DOWNS DOINGS - Huckabone, III was also the driver of Master's Cook, who established the previous 2:44.3 Vernon standard for the 1-3/8ths mile trot back on May 21 of this year... Driver Brian Connor collected four wins during the three-night weekend, including a double on Thursday. Saturday's score was with his pacer Noble Wabbit in 1:55.3... Next week's Thursday-Saturday night schedule has been deemed a "Corntastic Weekend" at the track, with New York Sires Stakes-sponsored State Fair races for freshman male pacer and trotters on Aug. 11 and 2-year-old filly pacers and trotters on Aug. 12. First post time each evening will be at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

H and M's Hit Lights Up the Toteboard in Friday Night Feature

2011-08-06T07:24:00.004-04:00

The Saratoga shipper H And M's Hit displayed the most lick in the lane while winning Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs with a career-best 1:55.3 clocking.

With trainer Claude Huckabone, III driving for owner Michael Sorentino, Jr. in the week's Open-1 trotting contest, H And M's Hit ($59.50) idled in fourth as Mr. Avalanche took the field of eight to the quarter in :27.4.

The favorite Grey Ice took over from there, leading at the half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Still fourth entering the payoff patch, H And M's Hit out-hoofed three contenders to the finish, defeating Mr. Avalanche by 2-1/4 lengths.

Friday's first-place showing was the first this season, but eighth all-time for the 5-year-old son of Giant Hit-Our Little Girl, who increased his career bankroll to more than $81,000, and chopped two seconds off his previous win-mark.

Friday's 10-race card also produced the meet's fastest pari-mutuel victories by a 2-year-old filly trotter, a 1:59.3 maiden victory by Vixy (Frank Milby driving for trainer Deedra Johnson and the Pine Hill Stable) in the third race), and 2-year-old colt pacer, a 1:55.1 speed-mark showing by Ideal Affair (Chris Lems teaming for owner and trainer Jim Graham) in the fourth event.

Lems, the meet's third-leading dash-winner, earned his ninth driving double during the track's 47th program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Driver Brian Connor and trainer Laurie Stark, who teamed up for two wins last night, visited the winner's circle again on Friday after Robert McNeight's pacer Fortune Fantasy captured the second race in a career-best time of 1:55.4... Saturday's 10-race card, which includes the week's top pace (race seven), a half-mile pacing dash (event four) and a mile-and-three-eighths trot (fifth contest), will start at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

No Joke About Eagle Hilarious in Thursday Night Feature

2011-08-05T08:32:00.004-04:00

The favorite Eagle Hilarious went from last to first before winning Thursday night's $10,000 featured first race at Vernon Downs in 1:53.

Leaving from the outside sixth spot against five quick-footed rivals in the week's feature for female pacers, Eagle Hilarious ($5.20) advanced patiently from last at the quarter.

The 7-year-old mare was fifth entering the stretch and then closed rapidly from fourth in the final sixteenth (final split in :27.1) to defeat the mile-cutting By All Means by a neck.

Thursday's tight tally was the second at the meet, fourth this season and 26th all-time for the bay daughter of Dragon Again-Cyclebred, who trained and driven by Claude Huckabone, III and owned by Hugo Iodice.

She advanced her lifetime earnings to nearly $300,000.

Brian Connor, catch-driving for trainer Laurie Stark and the Ultra Stable, won with the trotter DL Cruiser (in a career-best 1:58) and pacer Real Jenna (1:56.2) to record his fourth double at the 46-program meeting.

DOWNS DOINGS — Ellen Mc Neil's sophomore filly pacer Looney Dune extended her winning streak to three with a 1:55.2 performance in Thursday's seventh session. Luke Plano drove for trainer John Mc Neil, III... Friday's 10-race card, which features the week's $10,000 Open trot in race nine, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Sri Panka Squeezes Through to Win Saturday Feature

2011-07-30T23:59:00.005-04:00

Joseph Appler's pacer Sri Panka used the inside route to post a 1:54.3 victory in Saturday night's $8,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs.

Sitting second for most of the week's Open-2 contest, Sri Panka ($8.50) found himself hemmed in behind the pace-setting Johnny Midnight and other rallying contenders heading down the stretch.

Driver Frank Davis, sitting in for trainer John Gagnon, Jr., had no choice but to try and maneuver his charge through tight quarters in the lower pylon path and, together, they managed to squirt through and post a 1-1/4 length victory over Johnny Midnight.

It marked the initial win in this class, the second victory at the meet, fourth first-place finish of the season and the 12th all-time for the 5-year-old son of The Panderosa-Road To Pandalay, who now sports career earnings of $134,726.

Leading provisional driver Truman Gale earned his 15th score at the meet after winning with the pacer Mr. Express (1:55), while leading driver Jimmy Whittemore finished first with the pacers Fox Valley Lee (1:54) and Forty Carrots (1:53.3) to secure his Downs leading 12th double of the 45-card campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional pilot Brandon Loomis logged his second career victory after teaming the pacer Bettordays R Cumin to a 1:56.2 record and a $19.00 win payoff in Saturday's eighth event... The Downs will present live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week... Vernon has announced that, until further notice, all simulcasts on Sunday (afternoon and evening) will be conducted in the lower clubhouse at the track (not in the new simulcast center at the recently renovated Vernon Downs hotel)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Lems Wins 5

2011-07-30T14:47:00.004-04:00

Mr. Avalanche stretched his winning streak to three and helped driver Chris Lems achieve a five-win outing with a 1:58.2 showing in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Facing seven select rivals in the week's Open-1 trot, Mr. Avalanche ($19.60) was directed to the front from the number four post by Lems and the gritty gelding remained there throughout, defeating Mystic Splendor by more than two lengths over a track rated sloppy.

Friday's first-place finish was the third locally, the sixth this season and the 11th all-time for the steady-striding 5-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Epoque Effe, who is trained by Paul Durante, Jr. and owned by Jeremy Godfrey.

The career winner of $43,787 was competing in Vernon's top trotting test for the first time.

Lems, third in dashes won at the Downs this season, raised his win count to 39 after also scoring with the freshman trotter Catman Dude (2:04.1) in the third race, the sophomore filly pacer Excited Ideal (1:58.1) in the sixth session, the veteran trotter Duke Of Wellington (1:59.4) in race seven and the 2-year-old pacing colt Fresh Dream (2:00.2) in the eighth event.

He tied Frank Milby as the only drivers to have won five races on a single Vernon program after 44 programs in 2011.

The Roman Lopez owned, trained and driven Mr. Web Page became the winningest trotter at the meet after snaring his fifth season's score with a 1:57.1 effort in Friday's second race.

Trainer Jim Graham (Excited Ideal and Fresh Dream) also garnered a pair of victories during Friday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Catman Dude's victory in Friday's third race made him the initial 2-year-old trotting colt to finish first in pari-mutual competition thus far this season at the Downs... Fresh Dream became the first 2-year-old pacing colt to capture a betting race at Vernon through July 29... Jennifer Ancone of Syracuse won the Miss Vernon competition at the track on Friday night... Saturday's 10-race card, which includes the week's top pacing attractions, will begin at 6:55... Vernon has announced that, until further notice, all simulcasts on Sunday (afternoon and evening) will be conducted in the lower clubhouse at the track (not in the new simulcast center at the recently renovated Vernon Downs hotel)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Won Night Stand Tops Thursday night card

2011-07-28T23:12:00.005-04:00

The veteran Won Night Stand was never headed during Thursday night's $6,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Competing in the week's top test for female pacers, Won Night Stand ($10.00) hustled through splits of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:26 en route to a 1:54 triumph, her third of the season and 14th all-time.

Trainer Chris Lems drove the determined daughter of Village Jove-Wonmagical Night for the Parsimonious Racing Stable.

The productive mare currently sports lifetime earnings of $149,216.

Lems logged his eighth driving double at the Downs this season, scoring earlier in the evening with the pacer Fort Hamilton (1:55.3) for trainer/part-owner Jody Weidman and his pals, Brian Cross and Wayne Worden.

A breezy 1:56.1 victory by Rosa Villa in Thursday's fourth event was the 8-year-old pacer's sixth at the meet, tying her with fellow side-wheelers Johnny Midnight, Pro Bono Frank and By All Means for most equine tallies after 43 programs.

Trainer Frank Davis drove for owner Brian Green.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore (68 triumphs) and Luke Plano also produced a pair of first-place finishes during Thursday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Leading provisional pilot Truman Gale recorded his 14th victory at the meet after a 1:56.1 score behind the pacer Torrid Pace that he owns with Jocelyn Lavigne... Tomorrow evening, the Miss Vernon competition will be conducted at the track, plus a "Diamond Dig" promotion... Friday's 10-race card will begin at 6:55 p.m... Vernon has announced that, until further notice, all simulcasts on Sunday (afternoon and evening) will be conducted in the lower clubhouse at the track (not in the new simulcast center in the recently renovated Vernon Downs hotel)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vernon Downs and Jeff Gural raise money of Food Bank in Central NY

2011-07-28T10:09:00.003-04:00

Vernon Downs Casino held its Fifth Anniversary Pat Benatar concert on June 30th in Vernon, New York, with all ticket sale proceeds benefiting the Food Bank of Central New York.

This past Thursday at the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for the new Vernon Downs expansion, Jeff Gural presented the Food Bank of Central New York with a check for $58,246.13 from those proceeds, of which, $19,415.38 was Mr. Gural’s personal donation to the food bank.

Vernon Downs Casino, you must be 18 years old to play video gaming machines, please play responsibly.

For more information please contact us at 877-88-VERNON or online at www.vernondowns.com.

Pacinello Lowers Vernon Downs Track Record

2011-07-24T11:52:00.005-04:00

The oily-gaited Pacinello produced a track record, while Fred's Dream extended his winning streak to five in one of five late-closing divisions for New York-bred 3-year-old male trotters at Vernon Downs on Saturday night.

Competing in Saturday's $10,000 ninth race, the week's Open-1 contest, Pacinello ($19.20) took advantage of fast early fractions (a half in :55.2), rallied to the lead from third on the backstretch and rolled to a solid 1:50.2 score, that set a new Vernon standard for aged pacing horses.

The previous 1:51.1 mark was set by Going To The Beach in 2002, and equaled by Diamond Stick Pin in this same event two weeks ago.

It was one of three tallies on Saturday's 10-race card for driver Luke Plano, who did the teaming for his dad, trainer Rick Plano, and the D&E Racing Stable.

The time equaled the 5-year-old horse's lifetime mark, set last season at The Meadowlands.

Saturday's score by the brown son of Little Steven-Princess Kiara was the second locally this season, the fourth on the current campaign and 24th all-time.

He's currently a career winner of more than $268,600.

Plano's other winners came behind his dad's-trained pacers Shamderock (1:52) in the second session and Hay Goodlooking (1:51.2) in the seventh event.

Fred's Dream kept his winning streak alive and lowered his speed mark to 1:57.3 in second flight of Saturday's $61,700 New York Sires Stakes-sponsored test.

The Bill Bailey-steered favorite sat in the pocket for most of the mile, then closed in the final furlong for a two-length tally, his second late-closing triumph during the month.

Ann Yurenka conditions the son of Giant Hit-Minute Rice for Mary K. Apker.

Saturday's other late-closing winners were Mystical Mikel (Conway Hall-Fancy Crown), in 1:57.4, with Lewayne Miller driving for trainer/part-owner Kimberly Burris and Joseph Budney; House On Fire (Conway Hall-Housethatruthbuilt), in 1:58.4 with trainer Ray Schnittker steering for his ownership partner, the House On Fire Stable; Ridethewind Chrys (Cash Hall-Malhana Glorious Winner Copperhead), in 1:57.3, with Frank Milby teaming for owner and trainer Jeffrey Rose), and (Credit Winner-Fox Valley Flan), with Miller again in the sulky, this time for trainer Erv Miller and the Tanah Merah Farms.

DOWNS DOINGS - The tally by Ridethewind Chrys was his maiden-breaking victory... Like Fred's Dream, Glorious Winner is also a five-time victor in 2011... The track's next NYSS event is slated for Thursday, Aug. 11... Vernon will present live harness racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Unshakeable unbeatable on Friday Night

2011-07-23T08:13:00.005-04:00

The veteran trotter Unshakeable capped off an overland journey with a career-best 1:55.3 victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

With 10-time track driving champion Howard Okusko, Jr. doing the teaming for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, Unshakeable ($6.30) trotted in the outside rally route from fourth in the early going and closed from third in the final furlong to win by a head over Skad’s Winner, with Double A Gloria just a half-length back in third.

The come-from-behind score was the second at the meet, third this season and 17th all-time for the 6-year-old bay son of Andover Hall-Sister Sammy, who raised his career bankroll to nearly $175,000.

Driver Okusko owns the gritty gelding along with Conrad Zurich and Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables.

Okusko concluded his evening with a 1:57.2 tally behind the trotter Mystic Splendor (owned by trainer Okusko and Kenneth Finnerty) in Friday's $6,000 ninth event, giving him three doubles after 41 current Vernon programs.

DOWNS DOINGS - A 1:56 maiden-breaking victory by Sweet Fancy Moses (Roman Lopez steering for trainer Leopold Sawyers and owner John W. Hart) in race three, tied a similar qualifying clocking by another 2-year-old pacing filly, Sha Delight, as the fastest miles by a freshman performer thus far this season at the Downs... Provisional driver Chris McCracken earned his third tally at the meet after a 1:59.3 mile behind William McCracken's trotter Crestwood Katch Me in Friday's fourth event... Saturday's 10-race slate, which begins at 6:55 p.m., includes five divisions of a $61,700 New York Sire Stakes late-closing contest for 3-year-old male trotters, plus the weekend's $10,000 Open-1 pacing contest... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

A High Five for Milby on Back to the Track Weekend

2011-07-17T02:09:00.003-04:00

Frank Milby put on a driving clinic at Vernon Downs on Saturday evening, visiting the track's winner's circle five times in 10 races, including a featured pace win with Pro Bono Frank.

Milby, a newcomer to the track this season, increased his win total after 39 programs to 41, second only to two-time defending champion and current leader Jimmy Whittemore (65 tallies).

Steering Pro Bono Frank ($23.40) for trainer Patrick Galbraith and owner Nikki Kosciolek, Milby kept the gritty 7-year-old gelding in seventh place through most of the $8,000 seventh session.

Together, they rallied to fifth at the top the stretch, and then powered home in a :28-second final quarter to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.4.

Pro Bono Frank's career-fastest performance marked his second win in succession, and sixth at the meet, tying him with fellow side-wheeler Johnny Midnight for most equine tallies at the track thus far this season.

The brown son of Pro Bono Best-Frankie Kash now sports 12 lifetime victories and earnings of more than $43,000.

Milby's other first-place finishers included Fox Valley Lee in the fifth race, Bettor's Curse in the sixth session, What It Means in the ninth event and Hero's Cavalcade in Saturday's night-cap.

Rick Plano, with three tallies, and Frank Davis, with a pair of first-place finishes, were also multiple winners during the final night of "Back to the Track" weekend at the Downs.

DOWNS DOINGS - Milby is the first driver to win more than four races on a single program at the Downs thus far this season... Robin Rouse earned top handicapper honors on Saturday night and won a trip to the Little Brown Jug, harness racing's premier event for 3-year-old pacers... Winners in Saturday's exhibition races for members of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation at Vernon were Claudia McDaniel, driving Royal Attire, Brooke Hopsicker, steering Jandi Tuff As Sky, and Olivia Marshall, teaming CD's Miss M. Eleven youngsters competed in this year's HHYF's summer camp at the Downs... Vernon will present live harness racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Friday Night was a Vacation Day at Vernon Downs

2011-07-15T23:17:00.004-04:00

The favorite Vacation Day overcame a parked-out journey to record a 1:55.4 victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured eighth event at Vernon Downs.

Leaving from post five in a field of six, Vacation Day ($3.60) took the overland route from fourth at the quarter, closed from third in the stretch and overcame the pace-setting Scorpion Moon by a head in the week's Open-1 trotting contest.

The hard-fought score was the third locally this season, the fourth on the campaign and the 12th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Dream Vacation-Shutter Hanover, who is closing in on $130,000 in lifetime earnings.

Rick Plano did the steering for trainer Jamie Paquet, who owns the black gelding along with the In Front Racing stable.

The winner missed his career win mark by two-ticks of the timer.

Five of Friday's first-place finishers became two-time winners at the 38-program meeting, while seven earned fresh speed marks.

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon's "Back to the Track" weekend continues with Saturday's 10-race program, which contains a beach towel giveaway (while supplies last), and a handicap contest, in which the winner will earn a trip to the Little Brown Jug stakes race for 3-year-old pacer in the fall at Delaware, Ohio... Saturday's line-up, which will include three non-betting, exhibition pony races for representatives of the Harness Horse Youth Foundation's summer camp at the Downs, will begin at 6:20 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

By All Means Rallies Late for Thursday Feature Win

2011-07-15T09:44:00.004-04:00

The pacing mare By All Means put together a late rally to capture Thursday night's $6,000 featured third race at Vernon Downs.

Truman Gale, the track's top provisional driver this season, picked up his 12th local victory as he guided By All Means ($10.20) from fifth at the half, and fourth entering the homestretch, on to a hard-driving 1:54.2 triumph in the week's top test for female side-wheelers.

It marked the fifth local win, sixth season's score and seventh lifetime tally for the determined brown daughter of Western Ideal-Get By, who is owned and trained by Robert C. Gale.

The Adam Capizzano trained and driven pacer Grampa Gus earned fastest-mile-of-the-night honors with a 1:54.1 performance for owners Joe Marcoe and Kyle Storie in Thursday's $3,000 ninth event.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore, and Chris Lems, currently third on the dash-won chart, each posted two victories during Thursday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Chuck Connor, Jr., who secured a 1:54.2 triumph behind the pacer La Dreamin' Delight in Thursday's second session, is the third-leading driver of "two-minute" winners in the track's 58-year history with 809. Howard Okusko, Jr. leads in this category with 1,134. Trainer Janice Connor (Chuck's wife) owns La Dreamin' Delight along with Michelle C. and Albert C. Crawford... The Downs will begin it's "Back to the Track" weekend promotion at 6:55 p.m. tomorrow. Among the promotional activities will be a national Pick-4 wager... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

See You at Peelers Remains Undefeated in NYSS win at Vernon Downs

2011-07-10T07:00:00.003-04:00

The Standardbred sport's top-rated equine See You At Peelers remained unbeaten with a track record performance in a division of Saturday night's $145,208 New York Sires Stakes feature at Vernon Downs.

One race after Mystical Gypsy had tied the previous 1:51.2 track mark for 3-year-old filly pacers in Saturday's eighth event, See You At Peelers ($2.10), the U. S. Trotting Association's Horse of the Month for June, toured Vernon's 7/8ths-mile oval in 1:51.1, establishing a new speed standard for her age, sex and gait here and keeping her career record unblemished after 19 starts.

Marcus Johansson drove for trainer Jimmy Takter as the brilliant daughter of Bettor's Delight-West Side Glory took charge after a :26.2 opening quarter and zipped through additional splits of :55.2 and 1:23.4 en route to a 2-3/4 length victory, her sixth of the season.

The career-winner of more than $1.2 million is shared in ownership by Christina Takter (Jimmy's wife), along with John D. and Jim H. Fielding.

In addition to Mystical Gypsy's (Bettor's Delight-Under Your Spell) speedy score for the Mystical Marker Farms, Mary Jane Anderson and Shim Racing contingent, Saturday's other NYSS divisions were won by Miss Annie J (Bettor’s Delight-Musical Dreamer), in 1:53.1 for owner Ken Jacobs, and Tea Party Princess (Art Major-Hannah Banana), in 1:52 for owner Brad Gray.

The 5-year-old Diamond Stick Pin produced a front-striding 1:51.1 victory in Saturday's $10,000 sixth session, the week's Open-1 test, that tied the track's record for aged pacing horses, established by Going To The Beach in 2002.

Andrew McCarthy, Stephane Bouchard and Greg Merton each collected a pair of victories during Saturday's 10-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Paula's Best had authored the previous 1:52.2 Vernon mark for sophomore pacing fillies in 2007... McCarthy steered Miss Annie J to victory for trainer Linda Toscano, and Tea Party Princess to her win for Ron Burke... Merton drove Mystical Gypsy to her first-place finish for trainer Erv Miller... With Ray Schnittker in the sulky, Tuffofthetoughest turned in a 1:52.2 tally in Saturday's $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 contest... The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next week... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Skad's Winner Takes Friday Night Feature

2011-07-09T15:12:00.001-04:00

Skad's Winner lived up to his name with a career-best 1:55.3 performance in Friday night's $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Competing against six skilled trotting rivals in the week's Open-2 contest, Skad's Winner ($6.70) waltzed to the front as the starting gate pulled away and danced through intervals of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:26 en route to a 1-1/4 length triumph over the favorite, Unshakeable.

With Bill Bailey driving for trainer Ann Yurenka and owner Mary K. Apker, the 6-year-old son of Broadway Hall-Angela Lane logged his second score at the meet and 14th overall, while raising his career earnings to $229,655.

The speedy showing trimmed 2/5ths-of-a-second off of his previous win mark.

Sha Delight, the fastest freshman performer at the Downs thus far this season on the strength of a 1:56 qualifying win on June 25, delivered a 1:56.3 victory in Friday's $3,000 fifth event.

With Brian Mattison doing the teaming for trainer Paul Kelley and Wanda Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables, the brown daughter of Bettor's Delight-Shady Babie wired seven pacing rivals on her way to a 3-1/2 length triumph in her first pari-mutuel venture.

Veteran horseman Roman Lopez steered three different trotters into Vernon's winner's circle on Friday, including Mr. Web Page, who collected his fourth straight score in the $4,300 seventh session.

Lopez owns the steady-striding 3-year-old colt, who tied Justice Wyoming for most trotting tallies after 35 programs, and drew even with the pacer Rosa Villa for the longest winning streak at the meet.

Driver Rick Plano, as well as owner/trainer Don Brainard and Polisseni's Purple Haze Stables were all credited with two tallies during Friday's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - Saturday's 10-race card, which includes Open-1 and Open-2 races, will feature four divisions of a $145,208 New York Sires Stake for 3-year-old filly pacers. The event's headliner is the Standardbred sport's top-ranked performer at present, the undefeated See You At Peelers, who will be trying for her 19th straight career score in the evening's ninth event. First post is at 6:55 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Fox Valley Sage Doubles Up in Open Feature

2011-07-08T02:28:00.004-04:00

Fox Valley Sage turned a textbook trip into a 1:52.2 victory during Thursday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

Starting from the outside in the week's Open contest for female pacers, Fox Valley Sage ($6.40) stayed in the runner-up position behind the pace-setting newcomer Golden Ace until the final turn, then swooped to the lead and drew off for a 3/4-length triumph.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the steering for owner Stephen J. Farrell, Jr. as the 7-year-old daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac collected her second Open score in succession, third win at the meet, fourth in 2011 and 25th all-time.

While coming within two-fifths of a second of her lifetime mark, the bay battler increased her career earnings to more than $271,000.

In Thursday's $3,000 third race, the season's second pari-mutuel test for 2-year-old pacers here, Ocean Mist rallied from seventh (last) in the early going and closed from fourth in the final furlong to earn a 1:58.1 maiden-breaking victory.

Truman Gale, the track's top provisional driver, owns and trains the gelded son of Artiscape-Spring Mist, who finished second to last week's frosh winner, Rock Man (1:56.2).

Gale grabbed his initial double at the 34-program meeting, and 11th season's score here, after guiding the 4-year-old pacing mare Emma's Lily to a 1:55.1 career-best tally in Thursday's fifth event.

Robert C. Gales trains the bay daughter of Artiscape-Sweet Rosa Belle for Stephanie and Brian Cassell.

DOWNS DOINGS - Friday's 10-race card, which includes the weekend's top trotting test in event nine, will begin at 6:55 p.m... The top-ranked Standardbred See You At Peelers (unbeaten in 18 career starts) will headline a field of prime 3-year-old filly pacers in this Saturday's New York Sires Stakes feature at the Downs... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

See You At Peelers spotlights 30 pacing fillies in NYSS action at Vernon on Saturday night

2011-07-06T14:16:00.003-04:00

The undefeated sophomore pacing filly, See You At Peelers, headlines 30 fillies set to go postward in four divisions of New York Sire Stakes at Vernon Downs on Saturday night.

Coming off of an impressive three-length victory in the $613,020 Fan Hanover at Mohawk Racetrack, Peelers will be reunited with Marcus Johansson, who drove her to a world record victory (1:49.3) at Tioga Downs in the Empire Breeders' Classic Final.

See You At Peelers has caught national attention this year after going 13-for-13 last year as a freshman, and she still holds a perfect score card currently, five-for-five in 2011, with career earnings of more than $1.2 million.

See You At Peelers and Marcus Johansson will go back to work in the ninth race (9:35 pm approx) on the 10-race card Saturday night in a field of eight.

Win, exacta, trifecta, and daily double wagering are all that stand for the ninth event which is the fourth and final division of the New York Sire Stakes for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

The seven pacing fillies with the un-luck of the draw and the uphill battle of facing "Peelers" in alphabetical order are: Arlington Ave, Busybeingfabulous, City Delight, JK Soundofmusic, Lisjune Ann, Sight To See, and Whats New Pussycat.

Vernon Downs kicks off its weekend of live racing action on Thursday, July 7th at 6:55 pm.

For more information please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

Spender Hanover Lights Up Fourth of July

2011-07-06T10:31:00.003-04:00

Spender Hanover served up an afternoon-fastest 1:53.1 victory in Monday's $8,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Facing seven solid rivals in the week's Open-2 pace, Spender Hanover ($34.20) was hustled to the front by driver Joe Nassimos and sliced through splits of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24.1 en route to a half-length victory over the pocket-sitting Four One One.

Beating the day's previous speed standard by one tick of the timer (set by Mojo Hall in race tree), the Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned 5-year-old gelding collected his initial Vernon win, his fourth season's score and 17th career tally.

Howard Ouriel owns the bay son of Cam's Card Shark-Special Beauty.

Drivers Jimmy Whittemore, Rick Plano and Frank Milby each chalked up twin tallies during the holiday matinee's 10-race card.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Downs will offer live racing at 6:55 Thursday-Saturday nights this weekend... The top-ranked Standardbred See You At Peelers (unbeaten in 18 career starts) will headline a field of prime 3-year-old filly pacers for this Saturday's New York Sires Stakes feature at the Downs... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Franklin M Hanover Posts Fastest Time of the Night

2011-07-04T11:22:00.003-04:00

Lewis Miller's Franklin M Hanover recorded the fastest mile during Saturday night's 10-race program at Vernon Downs.

With Claude Huckabone, Jr. doing the steering for trainer Wes Miller, Franklin M Hanover ($19.40) rallied from sixth in the early going and closed from fourth in the homestretch to defeat the on-coming Mystic Splendor by a head in Saturday's $6,000 first race trot.

The 1:56 clocking equaled the 6-year-old gelding's lifetime mark and enabled the son of SJ's Caviar-Fanciulla to become a two-time winner at the meet.

Wild Goose Lodge ($9.20) missed the fastest mile mark by one-tick of the timer in the $6,000 co-featured 10th event.

Frank Davis drove for trainer/part-owner Jaclyn Bailey as the 9-year-old son of SJ's Photo-Mystress Hanover turned a pocket trip into a head victory over the pace-setting Paco In The Sky.

It marked the third season's score and 19th lifetime tally for career winner of $98,176, who is shared in ownership by Woody Hoblitzell.

Driver Roman Lopez scored with the trotter Play Right and pacer Dick N Ben during Vernon's 32nd program to record his third double of the track's 58th campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon will present a 10-race program on Monday (July 4) that will begin at 1:15 p.m... The Downs swill also offer live racing at 6:55 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... The top-ranked Standardbred See You At Peelers (unbeaten in 18 career starts) headlines a field of 3-year-old filly pacers for next Saturday's New York Sires Stakes feature at the Downs... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Whittemore Wins Four

2011-07-02T07:56:00.004-04:00

The pacers Pickmeamerigold, Rock Man, as well as drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Howard Okusko, Jr. all bathed in the limelight during Friday night's harness program at Vernon Downs.

Pickmeamerigold posted a front-striding, 1:55 victory in Friday's $6,000 featured ninth race, the week's top test for female side-wheelers.

Whittemore did the teaming for trainer Joe Cordisco and owner Holly Cordisco as the 5-year-old daughter of American Gigolo-Whip City Gal garnered her second score of the season and 13th all-time.

Rock Man, a promising son of Art Major-Gone Dancing owned by Linda Manzi and trained by Howard Okusko, Sr., motored to a 1:56.2 "maiden" victory for chauffeur Howard Okusko, Jr. in Friday's $3,000 third event, the first pari-mutuel contest for 2-year-old Standardbreds at the Downs this season.

Two-time defending champ and current leader Whittemore also won with the pacers Townie Guy, Dandy Do Right and Kissing Camels to record his fifth four-win performance in 31 current local programs.

Okusko, a 10-time Vernon driving champion, also finished first with the trotter Tip The Tide and pacer I'madeadhead to chalk up his second triple of the 2011 campaign at the Downs.

Former training champ Jessica Okusko also visited Vernon's winner's circle twice during the 10-event card.

DOWNS DOINGS - While posting 58 victories, Whittemore has collected eight driving doubles, five triples, as well as the five four-baggers during Vernon's 58th season... No driver has won more than four races on a single local program thus far this year... In addition to Rock Man, the sophomore trotting colt Splendid Cash (Chris Lems driving for trainer Fletcher Davis and owner Carol Davis), also earned his initial pari-mutuel win on Friday night... In addition to Saturday's 10-race program, which starts at 6:55 p.m., the Downs will present its third fireworks spectacular of the season following the conclusion of live racing... A 1:15 matinee program is planned for Monday, July 4... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Diamond Stick Pin Sparkles in Upset Victory

2011-06-26T08:48:00.003-04:00

Diamond Stick Pin pulled off an upset victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured sixth race at Vernon Downs.

Rated as the next-to-last choice by bettors in the week's Open-1 pace, Diamond Stick Pin ($26.40) idled in fifth place for most of the mile, rallied to fourth entering the final furlong and then closed like a door in the wind to nip the favorite Mystical Valentine by a neck in a 1:52.4 performance over a "sloppy" track.

Howard Okusko, Jr. drove for his wife, trainer Jessica Okusko, and owners Conrad Zurick, Edwin Gold and the Purple Haze Stables as the proven 5-year-old son of Bettor's Delight-Silksanddiamonds secured his initial Vernon victory of 2011, his third season's score and his 15th all-time tally, while increasing his lifetime earnings to $366,185.

The D & E Racing stable's Pacinello ($5.60) posted a gate-to-wire, 1:53.3 neck triumph in Saturday's $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 pacing contest.

The Leslie Hale owned and trained pacer Johnny Midnight became the first six-time winning standardbred of Vernon's 30-card campaign after a 1:55 pacing achievement in the 10th test.

Trainer Hale, both Okuskos, leading driver Jimmy Whittemore, chauffeurs Rick Plano and Chris Lems all recorded two tallies during Saturday's 10-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Justice Wyoming is the winningest trotter at the one-third mark of Vernon's 90-card campaign with four first-place finishes... Howard Okusko, Jr. is the track's all-time leading driver of winning miles in two-minutes or faster with 1,130 such credits... Jim Topper of Cicero won a trip for two to the prestigious Hambletonian race for 3-year-old trotters at The Meadowlands in early August during Saturday's program... There will be no live racing at the Downs next Thursday (June 30) due to a Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo concert at the track that begins at 8 p.m... Beginning next Friday (July 1), Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time for its live racing...A 1:15 matinee program is planned for Monday, July 4... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Rev It Now Makes Debut a Winning One

2011-06-25T08:20:00.004-04:00

Rev It Now made his Vernon Downs debut a winning one with a 1:57 performance in Friday night's $8,000 featured ninth race.

Competing on a rain-soaked track rated "sloppy," Rev It Now ($10.80) advanced from third in the early going and made it to the top before the half, timed in :58.1.

Still up by a length entering the homestretch, the gritty 5-year-old gelding had enough in reserve to beat back late bids by the favorite Skad's Winner and longshot Spin Spanky Spin to capture the week's Open-2 contest by 2-1/2 lengths.

Jack Rice, currently third in dashes won at the Downs, did the teaming for top trainer Tracy Brainard, who owns the bay son of Revenue S-What Now along with Andrew Herzog.

It was the second season's score, and seventh lifetime win for the career earner of $51,772.

Two-time defending dash champ and current driving leader Jimmy Whittemore raised his win total to 52 after 29 programs by finishing first with the trotters Under The Stars, Crowbar Hotel, Neon Dream, and pacer Mojo Hall.

It was his fourth four-win outing of the local campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - The trotter Contrarian (2:02) and pacer Dirty Dancing (1:58.4) each secured "maiden" victories during Friday's 10-race card…The win by Dirty Dancing gave top provisional driver Truman Gale his ninth win at the meeting... The Roman Lopez owned, trained and driven trotter Mr. Web Page extended his win streak to three with a 1:59.1 showing in Friday's fourth event... The Downs will conduct a "Breakfast With The Pros" promotion starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Saturday's 10-race card, which includes the week's top pacing events, will get under way at 7:05 p.m... Beginning next Friday (July 1), Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Fox Valley Sage Goes from Last to First in Thursday Night Feature

2011-06-24T08:18:00.004-04:00

Stephen Farrell, Jr.'s Fox Valley Sage went from last to first during Thursday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the driving in the week's Open for female pacers as Fox Valley Sage ($20.80) started out in eighth place, advanced to sixth at the half, third entering the final furlong, and then powered through the stretch (a :27.2 final panel over a "good" track) to defeat the pace-setting Eagle Hilarious by a head in 1:53.3.

It was the third season's score (second at the Downs) and 24th lifetime victory for the 7-year-old daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac, who increased her all-time winnings to more than $266,000.

The Wiz Kid's Stable's Head First and Tracy Brainard's Justice Wyoming each extend their winning streaks to three during the track's 28th program.

Dominic Marusco's Sam's Lil' Kim collected her second win in succession.

Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore earned his seventh driving double of the local campaign, while driver Brian Connor and trainer Laurie Stark teamed up for first-place finishes from the trotter DL Cruiser and pacer Head First.

DOWNS DOINGS - In spite of the rainy evening, six of Thursday's 10 winners earned fresh speed marks… Provisional driver Shawn McDonough delivered his fifth win at the meet after teaming Nicholas Mastrodonato's trotter Stonetag to a 1:58.4 tally in Thursday's 10th event... Friday's 10-race card, featuring the week's top trotting test, will commence at 7:05 p.m... In July, Vernon will switch back to a 6:55 p.m. post time...Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Gural to Donate $5 to Food Bank for each Benatar Ticket Sold

2011-06-22T11:43:00.003-04:00

Here's more exciting news regarding the June 30th Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo concert at Vernon Downs.

As a way of giving back to the community, all proceeds from the ticket sales for the June 30th Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo concert will be donated to the Food Bank of Central New York.

In addition, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, Jeff Gural, has stated that he will personally donate $5.00 to the Food Bank of Central New York for every ticket sold for the concert.

Mr. Gural will also give 50 cents for every $1 donated to the Food Bank on the day of the show.

Tickets to the show are available at the Vernon Downs Players Club or online at Ticketmaster.

He's Gorgeous Looks Good in Saturday Night Feature

2011-06-18T23:46:00.006-04:00

Track record-holder He's Gorgeous performed with speed and determination while winning Saturday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs in 1:50.3.

Making his second local start since setting a 1:50 Vernon standard for 4-year-old pacing horses on May 7, He's Gorgeous ($3.80) followed Mystical Valentine and Daley Deposit Only to the quarter (paced in :26.1), took the lead after the half (reached in :54.3), led by more than a length entering the stretch (three-quarter time was 1:22.3), and then out-battled Mystical Valentine to the finish of the week's Open-1 contest.

The head triumph was the second at the Downs in 2011, fourth this season and 21st overall for the speedy bay son of Art Major-So Ravishing, who has returned more than $714,000 to his owner Ken Jacobs.

Jack Rice did the teaming for the track's top trainer Tracy Brainard, who posted her 39th win credit at the 27-card meeting.

The Howard Okusko, Sr.-conditioned pacer Touch Of The Past prevailed in the week's $8,000 Open-2 test, scoring in 1:52.3 for driver Joe Nassimos, and owners Linda Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer, in race six.

Frank Milby, who ended the week trailing only two-time defending champion Jimmy Whittemore, 46-34, atop Vernon's driver standings, earned his second triple of the meet after scores behind J T Arturo (1:55.3) and Pro Bono Frank (1:53.4) in the Early Double, and then Dragon My Wagon (1:52.3) in the fourth event.

DOWNS DOINGS - The 12-year-old battler J T Arturo, owned by trainer Dave Dewhurst and Anthony R. Farina, recorded his 68th career victory in Saturday's opener... Leading provisional driver Truman Gale secured his eighth win of the meet after directing the Robert Gale-owned-and-trained pacer Mr. Express to a 1:54.3 tally in Saturday's eighth event... Vernon will offer live racing at 7:05 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Scorpion Moon Posts Fastest Trotting Mile of Vernon Downs season on Friday Night

2011-06-18T14:59:00.003-04:00

The speedy veteran Scorpion Moon recorded the fastest trotting mile of the season (1:53.4) en route to his 78th career victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Leaving from the outside nine post, Scorpion Moon ($5.00) shot right to the front and beat back all challenges on the way to a 1-3/4 length decision over the pocket-sitting Aruba Vacation in the week's Open-1 trotting contest.

Jack Rice did the steering for trainer Tracy Brainard as the 10-year-old son of Armbro Scorpion-Angies Nugget logged his second win at the meet and raised his career earnings to more than $859,000.

Brainard owns the bay battler along with Andrew Herzog.

Brainard, the defending training champ, earned another first place credit when the trotter Queen Creek that she also owns with Herzog captured the evening's 10th race in a lifetime best 1:55.1 performance for driver Frank Milby.

Driver Rick Plano earned his second double of the 26-card campaign after winning with the trotter Forever Bachelor, in 1:56.2 for owners Maryann Plano and J. Paul Reddam, and pacer Dragon's Breath, in 1:56.1 for owner Lori Sleva.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Gates Brunet-trained-and-driven trotter Rhythmic Moves displayed speed and substance during a 1:57.1 career-best performance in Friday's fifth event... John Gagnon, Jr. posted his first provisional driving victory of the meet behind the trotter Layla Lolita in Friday's third contest... Saturday night's 10-race line-up, which begins at 7:05, includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race nine... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Eagle Hilarious No Joke in Thursday Night Feature

2011-06-16T23:23:00.007-04:00

Eagle Hilarious took to Vernon Downs' 7/8ths-mile-track in speedy and impressive fashion, posting a 1:52.3 career-best triumph in Thursday night's $6,000 featured ninth event.

With trainer Claude Huckabone, III doing the steering for owner Hugo Iodice, Eagle Hilarious ($8.10) challenged Won Night Stand for the early lead, took charge after the half, timed in :56.2, and then drew off to an easy 4-1/2 length triumph over Faith N Moon in the week's top contest for female sidewheelers.

It was the first local tally and the second season's score for the swift striding 7-year-old daughter of Dragon Again-Cyclebred, who increased her career record to 24 victories and earnings of $284,021.

The victory gave driver Huckabone, III a double during the 10-race card, his first at the meet.

His other score came behind his dad's 4-year-old pacer How Sweet Thou Art (1:54.4) in race two.

Leading reinsman Jimmy Whittemore posted three tallies during the track's 25th program, hiking his win total here to 46.

DOWNS DOINGS - Top trainer Tracy Brainard increased her win count to 36 after her 6-year-old trotter Justice Wyoming captured the evening's first race in 1:59... Driver Truman Gale currently holds a 7-5 edge over Michael Miller atop the provisional chart as the result of a career-best 2:00.4 score by Robert Gale's trotter Breewood Brier in race three... Friday's 10-race program, featuring the best trotters at the track competing in race nine, will begin at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Mata Harry Upsets Field in $10,000 Open Pace

2011-06-11T23:52:00.005-04:00

Mata Harry turned an unintended gift from the favorite Highbeta Blue Chip into a 1:51.4 triumph in Saturday night's $10,000 Open-1 pace at Vernon Downs.

Boxed in fourth, three lengths behind the leader Highbeta Blue Chip entering the stretch drive, Mata Harry ($28.40) took advantage of a sudden opening in the inside pylon patch, accelerated through it (final quarter in :27.2 on a "sloppy" track) and came away with a one-length victory over the fast-closing Mystical Valentine in the evening's first contest.

Highbeta Blue Chip, who bore out from the inside in the final furlong, had to settle for third.

Saturday's score was the third this season (all at Vernon) and the 34th overall for the 10-year-old son of Armbro Operative-Down East Lady, who is owned by Elliot Missula.

The opportunistic effort increased his career winnings to more than $407,000.

It was one of four wins during Saturday's 10-race card for driver Jimmy Whittemore, who did the teaming for his father, trainer Dennis Whittemore.

The two-time defending champ and current leading chauffeur also finished first with the pacers Kingsandqueens (1:56.4), Forty Carrots (1:54), and the trotter Lekka (1:58.4) to post his third four-win outing in 24 programs, and hike his season's tally total here to 43.

Chris Lems, currently fourth on the track's dashes-won chart with 19 victories, collected his initial triple at the meet after scoring with the pacers You Bet Your Glass (1:52.3), Johnny Midnight (1:54.3) and Mackenzie’s Bliss (1:54).

The victory by the Leslie Hale-owned-and-trained Johnny Midnight was the 8-year-old gelding's fifth at the Downs this season, tying him with fellow side-wheeler Rosa Villa for top honors among equine performers at the meet.

DOWNS DOINGS - The streaking pacer Mach Hula extended his win skein to three after a 1:56 performance for driver Frank Milby, trainer/co-owner Dave Dewhurst and his partner, Louis Chichester, in Saturday's fourth event. Only Rosa Villa has more consecutive wins (four) at the meet... Justin Huckabone, 17-year-old son of Vernon veteran horseman Claude Huckabone, Jr. and brother of driver-trainer Claude Huckabone, III, began his harness racing career with several successful drives during Saturday morning's qualifying program here... The Downs will present live racing at 7:05 p.m. Thursday-Saturday next weekend... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Vacation Day Fights Off Challengers to Take Friday Night Feature

2011-06-11T06:11:00.004-04:00

Feeling the hot breath of several Open-1 challengers at the head of the stretch, Vacation Day slipped into a faster gear and drew off to a 1:55.4 trotting triumph in Friday night's $10,000 featured 10th event at Vernon Downs.

After carving out fractions of :26.4, :56.4 and 1:27.1, Vacation Day ($12.80) was pressured by as many as four contending rivals entering the final furlong.

With Fern Paquet, Jr. steering for trainer Jamie Paquet, the gritty 5-year-old gelding didn’t panic.

Instead, he picked up the pace and spurted to a 1-1/2 length score over the second wagering choice, Unshakeable.

The favorite Scorpion Moon finished two lengths back in third.

Friday's first-place finish is the second locally this season, the third of the year and the 11th all-time for the son of Dream Vacation-Shutter Hanover.

Trainer Paquet and the In Front Racing stable own the lifetime winner of $120,602.

The final clocking was just 2/5ths-of-a-second off of his career-best win mark.

Dan Daley won with the trotters Mc Tiny's Hope (a 1:58.4 maiden victory) and RC Serpent (1:56.2) to claim his second double of the 23-card campaign.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional pilot Chris McCracken earned his initial win at the meet after guiding the trotter Crestwood Patriot to a career-fastest 1:57.3 tally in Friday's sixth session... Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore (39 wins) and top trainer Tracy Brainard (34) each collected a first-place finish during Friday's 10-race program... Vernon will simulcast the Belmont Stakes card, including the final leg of Thoroughbred racing's "Triple Crown" at approximately 6:30 tomorrow afternoon... The track's live 10-race program will follow at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Hidden Touch Has the Right Touch in Thursday's Feature

2011-06-10T07:25:00.004-04:00

Hidden Touch earned her initial Vernon Downs victory, and the lion's share of a $10,000 purse, in Thursday night's main event at the central New York harness track.

John Cummings, Jr. did the steering for trainer Megan Wilson in the week's Open feature for female pacers as Hidden Touch ($19.80) drafted along behind the pace-setting She's Everything until the stretch drive, and then got up in a photo to nip the mile-cutter by a head in 1:54.

It was the fifth score this season and the 35th all-time for the productive 8-year-old bay, who is owned by Claude Bourgeois.

The tight tally increased the Cambest-mare's career winnings to more than $411,000.

The streaking side-wheeler Rosa Villa stretched her victory skein to four, longest at the 22-program meeting, and became the season's first five-time local winner after a 1:54.2 performance for driver Frank Davis, trainer Dee Johnson and the Donald Stockwell/Steven Guido partnership in Thursday's second session.

It marked the 20th lifetime tally for the 8-year-old daughter of The Panderosa, who was claimed after the race for $4,800 by Brian Green of Leicester, Mass.

Rick Plano, who recently arrived with his stable from California, earned his first two victories at the Downs in 2011, scoring with the trotter It's A Diamond (1:59.3) and pacer Albagold (1:57.2).

Truman Gale took the lead in provisional driving victories at the meet after piloting the Robert C. Gale-owned- and-trained pacer By All Means to a 1:54.1 triumph in Thursday's 10th contest.

The 22-year-old reinsman currently leads Michael Miller, 6-5, in "P" tallies.

DOWNS DOINGS - The claim of Rosa Villa was the 11th of the year at the Downs... Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore won for the 38th time at the meet after a 1:57.3 effort behind top trainer Tracy Brainard's (33 victories) aged trotter Justice Wyoming in the seventh session... Friday's 10-race card will feature the week's Open Trot in the evening's final event. First post is at 7:05 p.m... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Mystical Valentine Wins Again in Saturday Feature

2011-06-05T07:18:00.003-04:00

The steady going pacer Mystical Valentine delivered a seamless 1:52.3 performance while winning Saturday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Frank Milby, steering for trainer Dave Dewhurst, sent Mystical Valentine ($6.90) to the front from the word "Go" and kept the 5-year-old bay gelding in command through splits of :27.1, :57.2 and 1:26 en route to a 1-1/2 length tally in the week's Open-1 pace.

It was the second score in succession and the fourth at the 21-program meeting for the son of Dream Work-Sneakheravalentine, who is owned by Philip Hale.

The strong showing tied the career winner of 19 races and $282,277 at four with fellow sidewheelers Rosa Villa and Johnny Midnight for most equine tallies at the Downs thus far in 2011.

Milby and Dewhurst each earned doubles during the 11-race program, as they also got a first-place finish from the pacer What It Means (owned by the trainer and Hale) in Saturday's seventh session.

Other drivers picking up twin tallies during the program were Frank Davis (the pacers Lightning Prince & Art's Image), Chris Lems (the pacers Johnny Midnight & Banocariza) and Jimmy Whittemore (the pacers Shu Fu & Glen B).

DOWNS DOINGS - What It Means also won in the exact same time as his stablemate, 1:52.3, which turned out to be the fastest miles of the evening... Truman Gale moved into a five-all tie with Michael Miller for most wins by provisional drivers at the meet following his first-place finish behind the pacer Mr. Express in race two... Milby is tops in driving doubles at the meet with eight... Vernon will resume live harness racing at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday (June 9)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Russ N Us Sneaks Through on the Inside to Capture Trotting Feature

2011-06-04T08:51:00.004-04:00

The Saratoga ship-in Russ N Us finished like a whirlwind to capture Friday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Saving ground along the inside in fourth while How'd That Feel and, later the favorite, Scorpion Moon, took turns cutting out the mile, Russ N Us ($16.60) exploited a gap in the pylon path entering the homestretch and closed like a gate in the wind to defeat the on-coming Unshakeable by 3-1/2 lengths in the week's Open-1 trotting contest.

The 1:54.4 performance stands as one of the fastest of Vernon's 20-card campaign, and it serves as a career-best win-mark for the 5-year-old son of Like A Prayer-Pine For, who is owned by the Scheigert Racing Stable.

Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Melissa Beckwith as the veteran bay gelding chalked up his sixth season's score, 21st lifetime win and increased his career earnings to more than $142,000.

Huckabone, III also won with the trotters Fash Bash Girl and Caviar's Promise to record his initial "hat trick" at the meet.

Also recording twin tallies during Friday's 12-card were drivers Roman Lopez (who scored with the trotters Mr. Web Page and In The Stretch in the early double), Jimmy Whittemore, Brian Connor, as well as trainers Ann Yurenka and Laurie Stark.

Dennis Whittemore's aged gelding Saver secured a solid 1:57.1 score in Friday's $8,000 seventh session, the week's Open-2 trotting contest.

DOWNS DOINGS - Vernon will present a 12-race program at 7:05 on Saturday night that includes the week's $10,000 Open-1 pace in race 10... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Fox Valley Sage Surges to Victory in Thursday Night Feature

2011-06-03T10:58:00.003-04:00

Fox Valley Sage surged to a second straight score in Thursday night's $10,000 featured 10th race at Vernon Downs.

Fresh off a 2:01 tally at Yonkers Raceway on May 27, Fox Valley Sage ($11.60) rallied from second in the final strides to nip the oncoming Blueridge Betty (last week's winner in this fillies and mares Open pace) by a head in a 1:54.4 effort.

Hidden Touch, who led for most of the mile, was a tight third.

Trainer Ralph Andersen did the driving for owner Stephen Farrell, Jr. as the 7-year-old bay daughter of Richess Hanover-Pink Cadillac secured her 23rd lifetime victory and increased her all-time winnings to nearly $260,000.

With Frank Davis driving for trainer Deedra Johnson, the pacer Rosa Villa became the initial four-time winner at the Downs this season following a front-striding 1:57 outing in Thursday's fourth race, that tied her at three with fellow pacer P L Comestowin and the trotters Jezzy and The Kentuckian for the longest winning streak after 19 programs.

Donald Stockwell and Steven Guido own the 8-year-old mare, who has achieved 19 lifetime victories and $226,822 in official prize money.

Davis also delivered a 1:57.2 triumph with the pacer Acadiana in the ninth event that gave him a double during Thursday's 11-race program.

Second-leading driver Frank Milby (My Girl Lora and Mach Hula) also carded a pair of first-place finishes during the evening.

DOWNS DOINGS - Leading driver Jimmy Whittemore earned his 33rd local tally after directing Scott Miller's pacer Printing A Place to a 1:57.3 decision in Thursday's fifth event... The Downs will present a 12-race card, featuring the week's $10,000 Open-1 trot, starting at 7:05 tomorrow night... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Jezzy, Whatever It Takes Shine in Empire Breeders' Classic Trots

2011-06-02T10:05:00.003-04:00

Whatever It Takes and Jezzy displayed championship form during their divisional scores in Monday afternoon's $521,700 Empire Breeders Classic finals for 3-year-old trotters at Vernon Downs.

Whatever It Takes ($39.60) turned in a 1:54 track record performance for sophomore gelding high-steppers with his fast-closing triumph in the $283,475 male division (race six), while Jezzy ($2.40) earned a fresh speed mark and remained unbeaten after three current outings with her convincing 1:55 tally in the $238,225 filly flight (race nine).

It was a memorable Memorial Day matinee for Jeff Gural, who shared in the ownership of both speedy and talented New York-breds.

With Andy Miller steering for trainer Julie Miller, Whatever It Takes left the starting gate somewhat cautiously, followed the surging co-favorites Dejarmbro and I'm The Answer around the final bend and then closed from fifth at the top of the stretch (last quarter in :27.2) to defeat the former competitor by a head.

The other half of the Purple Haze Stable entry (I'm the Answer) finished third, one length back.

"I relaxed him off the gate," explained driver Miller. "When I saw Trond (Smedshammer behind Dejarmbro) and Brian (Sears behind I'm The Answer) moving up, I just followed them and he finished very well. This horse has turned the corner for us during the past month, and seems to be getting better and better."

The 1:54 career-best clocking trimmed 3/5ths-of-a-second off the previous track mark for sophomore geldings on the diagonal gait, set by I'm The Answer in one of the elimination races here on May 21, became the fastest mile by a representative of the square gait at the meet and tied the quickest trotting mile by a 3-year-old in the track's 58-year history.

The bay son of Credit Winner- Caper Caillie now sports a 3-2-1 summary line after seven season's starts.

The career winner of $159,938 is owned by Gural's Little E, LLC stable, along with Brittany Farms, Blue Chip Bloodstock, Inc. and the Credit Caper Partners.

Jezzy got away third for noted driver Tim Tetrick in the filly flight, but took the lead before the half, reached in :57.1.
The homebred brown daughter of Credit Winner-Ladylind caught a breather when Four Damsals shuffled her back into the pocket in the final turn, but the eager youngster responded well in the final furlong (lastl panel in :28.4) and recorded a solid two-length decision over Four Damsals.

Stablemate Epona Blue Chip finished third.

"She’s such a pleasure to drive," said Tetrick in the winner's circle. "I just wanted to get her a clear lane (to the finish) when I pulled her in the stretch and she did the rest. She's a real sweetheart."

Shared in ownership by Gural, trainer Ray Schnittker, Jerry Silva and Theodore Gewertz, the career winner of more than $400,000 has now chalked up 13 wins and a second-place finish in 14 overall trips to the track.

The time dropped her speed mark by one and one-fifth seconds.

DOWNS DOINGS - The Schnittker trained and driven Deweycheatumnhowe established the 1:54 track mark for sophomores in August of 2008... Former Vernon driving champion Brian Sears scored three times during Monday's 12-race program, while Tetrick and Dan Daley each posted driving doubles... Live racing will resume at 7:05 p.m. this Thursday (June 2)... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Unshakeable Takes Saturday Night Featured Trot

2011-05-28T23:38:00.004-04:00

The talented trotter Unshakeable didn’t panic while under pressure in the stretch and, instead, held on to record a 1:56.3 victory in Saturday night's $10,000 featured seventh race at Vernon Downs.

With 10-time track driving champion Howard Okusko, Jr. doing the teaming for his wife, Jessica, the track's 2009 training titleist, Unshakeable ($6.60) gained the lead before the half (timed in :57.3) and remained in command by a length entering the final furlong.

In spite of pressure from two closing rivals in the final strides, Unshakeable just kept digging until he had secured a neck triumph over Spin Spanky Spin in the week's Open-1 contest.

It marked the second season's score and 16th lifetime win for the 6-year-old son of Andover Hall-Sister Sammy, who is shared in ownership by driver Okusko, Conrad Zurich and the Purple Haze Stables.

While boosting the bay gelding's career earnings to more than $161,000, the Okuskos completed a double during Saturday's 10-race program, having won earlier in the card with the trotter Mystic Splendor, owned by trainer Okusko and Kenneth Finnerty, in 1:56.2.

Multiple victories were also recorded by drivers Jimmy Whittemore and Michael Miller.

DOWNS DOINGS - Whittemore tops all drivers at the 17-night meeting with 32 first-place finishes, while Miller is currently the leading provisional reinsman with five tallies... Former Vernon driving kingpins John Stark, Jr. (Savannah Montana in 1:59.3) and Brian Allen (Artemus Major in 1:56.3) revisited the track's winner's circle during the program after shipping over from Saratoga Raceway... Vernon will present a 12-race card at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (May 30) that includes the championship finals in the $521,700 Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old trotters, a male contest in race six and a filly flight in race nine...Thursday night programs will resume at 7:05 on June 2... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

Blueridge Betty Doubles Up in Friday Night Feature

2011-05-28T15:00:00.003-04:00

It took Blueridge Betty a while to get geared up, but she eventually was able to rally for a 1:54.2 victory in Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

Facing five female foes on a deteriorating track due to a heavy thunder shower, Blueridge Betty ($17.00) laid back in last place for three-quarters of the week's distaff Open, then powered up around the final bend and streaked through the final sixteenth to nip another closer, Hugs Again, by a nose at the conclusion of the mile contest.

The win over a track labeled "good" was the second in a row, third at the 16-night meeting and 10th all-time for the hard-hitting 5-year-old mare, who is owned by the Big Sky Ranch.

Trainer Joe Nassimos did the teaming as the bay daughter of Modern Art-Miss Megan E raised her career earnings to nearly $79,000.

Newcomer Frank Milby secured a triple following first-place finishes behind the pacers My Girl Lora, Miracle Lu Lu and Mach Hula, while drivers Roman Lopez, Leon Bailey, and trainers Lopez, Deedra Johnson and Dave Dewhurst were all credited with two-win outings during the 12-race program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Blueridge Betty became the seventh three-time winner this year at the Downs, joining fellow pacers Mystical Valentine, By All Means, P L Comestowin, Rosa Villa (earlier in the program) and trotters Cello Hanover and The Kentuckian as season's leaders in this category... Milby, who leads in driving doubles with five, also sports a four-win outing at the meet... Saturday night's 10-race program, which begins at 7:05, will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Vernon will present a 12-race card at 1:15 p.m. on Monday (May 30) that includes the championship finals in the $500,000-plus Empire Breeders Classic for 3-year-old trotters, a male contest in race six and a filly flight in race nine...Thursday night programs will resume at 7:05 on June 2... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season and its casino can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.