Huckabone Earns first pari-mutuel driving victory

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

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

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

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

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

Justin Huckabone gets his first career parimutuel victory

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

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

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

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

Opening Night of the track's 60th season

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vernon Downs conducts its annual Media Night program

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First qualifying program at Vernon Downs for 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs donate $10,000 to Ensure Future for Retiring Standardbred Racehorses in New York State

Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs have donated $10,000 to Sunshine Horses Inc.

Sunshine Horses Inc. is a New York Based Racehorse Retirement and Retraining 501(c3) not for profit.

Founded in 2003, Sunshine Horses Inc. retrains, rehabilitates and re-homes this very versatile breed and gives them the retirement they deserve and have earned. Sunshine Horses also has many community programs bringing a wide variety of people to hands-on contact with this great breed.

  

Harness Racing in New York provides revenue to New York State as well as employment, income and entertainment for thousands of people.

A New York State Task Force tried to procure a legislative ruling that would give some of the money earned by these horses back to the horses to help ensure a safe retirement or training for a second career. But politics shut the door leaving the responsibility to whomever steps forward to advocate for these horses, the way Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs have.

 

Sunshine Horses Inc. thanks Vernon and Tioga Downs for taking the reins and making strides towards a partnership with Sunshine Horses Inc. to take care of these retiring athletes.

So as an exciting new racing season begins, new faces will be seen, but many familiar ones will not return.   

Many of these horses simply go to auction to a dismal future.

The spirit of the standardbred continues far past the finish line and many of these horses can retire into many other safe and respectful disciplines.

They should not be just thrown away when no longer useful to racing.

Sunshine Horses also wishes to thank Saratoga Harness Horsepersons' Association, Buffalo and Batavia racetracks and Western New York Harness Horsemans' Association for their generous donations and support in the recent past.

Donations such as this will enable more standardbred racehorses to stand proud and out of harm's way after their racing careers are over.

The blending of the standardbred into the pleasure horse world also provides an opportunity for the public to learn what wonderful horses these are and also promote the Industry.

As racetracks and Horsemen Associations step up and assume some financial responsibility, it clearly shows the public that the buck does not stop at the finish line. This says a great deal about us as people and the Industry as a whole when we take care of our own.

Please consider sponsoring a horse, adopting or making a much needed tax deductible contribution to Sunshine Horses Inc. so we can continue to help more and more horses.

Contact Kate Starr at (315) 729-7016 or email her at Katesunshinehorses@yahoo.com and visit them on the web at www.sunshinehorses.org.

VERNON DOWNS PREPARES FOR HISTORIC 60TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Opening Night of Racing is Friday, April 12

 

A celebration of the past with an eye towards bigger and better is the theme as Vernon Downs prepares for its historic 60^th anniversary season. Live harness racing begins Friday, April 12. Post time has been moved 10 minutes earlier this season to 6:45 PM.  The racing schedule features 90 race days on a mostly Thursday, Friday and Saturday schedule through November 2.

"This is going to be an exciting season to celebrate 60 years of harness racing tradition here at Vernon Downs," said Director of Racing Scott Warren, "While creating some new memories along the way."

Racing fans will notice many upgrades to the facilities this season including a renovated infield tote board, renovations to the Gold Cup dining room and a flashy new logo highlighting the 60^th anniversary of racing.

In an effort to celebrate some of those historic moments, this season's program cover features several photos of legendary races and people from the past six decades. As part of a contest, fans that correctly identify the photos will be entered into weekly drawings for gift certificates from area businesses.  They will also be entered into a grand prize drawing for $500 on June 29, the official 60^th anniversary celebration. That special evening will also feature a commemorative T-Shirt giveaway and a trip giveaway to the Hambletonian, harness racing's premier event.

On the track, a stakes schedule worth more than $2.3 million will ensure that many of the sport's top horses will visit Vernon Downs in 2013.

"There aren't too many tracks in North America that offer a better stakes schedule than Vernon Downs," said Vice President of Racing Jason Settlemoir. "Central New York will witness first-hand harness racing's very best horses, drivers and trainers."

Fans will also want to circle Sunday, August 25 on their calendars. That special Sunday night of racing will feature the first round of the $50,000 Drivers' Championship, harness racing's version of the all-star game. The card will also include the $700,000 Zweig Memorial Trots. Hambletonian champion Market Share swept to a track record win in last year's male division while super filly Check Me Out matched her own world record with a 1:51.3 win against her fellow females.

The End of Summer Showdown returns on September 6 with a pair of $200,000 races for older trotters, the Credit Winner for the boys and the Muscle Hill for the girls. One lucky fan will also drive home that night with a brand new car: Scion iQ in the grand prize drawing of the season-long Horseplay Car Giveaway. The promotion helps to raise nearly $10,000 for local charities.

Fans may also register each racing night for the 2^nd annual Million Dollar Ball Drop, another season-long promotion that could award one lucky winner with $1 million on August 31.

Other special promotional nights include May 27 (Special Memorial Day matinee with baseball hat giveaway, while supplies last); June 21 (Camel and Ostrich races); July 13 (Miss Vernon Downs beauty pageant); August 8-10 (Corntastic Weekend); and August 25 (Drivers' Championship bobblehead doll giveaway, while supplies last).

The Vernon Downs main track is being worked into mint condition by track superintendent Tony Rossi following another Central New York winter. Fans are invited to watch qualifying races on April 2 and 5 at 11:00 AM and April 9 at 6:45 PM.

A complete race and stakes calendar is available on the Vernon Downs website and fans are encouraged to visit the track's Facebook page for updated promotional information.

Brice Cote to Head Integrity Efforts at Gural Tracks

Brice Cote has been designated to lead the effort to detect and deter the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and any other unscrupulous practices that affect the racing product at The Meadowlands, Tioga & Vernon Downs.

Mr. Cote has an impressive background in this arena, having previously served as a detective in the Racetrack Unit for the New Jersey State Police for 10 years.

"I was raised around horses and they continue to be a large part of my life," said Cote. "When I learned of Jeff Gural's intention to address PEDs in racing, I knew that I wanted to be involved."

"We will follow the facts in our efforts to protect the integrity of racing. The goal is to provide the customer a legitimate, dependable product upon which to wager and the horsemen a fair chance to compete within the rules." 

New Meadowlands Chairman Jeff Gural had this comment, "I am committed to having a level playing field at all three of my racetracks. I want the good guys racing at my tracks so that our customers can handicap the races without having to guess who is using what. I think one of the reasons that our handle has increased this year is the fact that we make a major effort to keep the bad guys out." 

"I think Brice is a perfect person for the job and I hope anyone racing at the Meadowlands appreciates our commitment to integrity and the fact that we are willing to spend our own money to try to help the regulators catch the bad guys."