Spring Goal breaks track record in Friday Night upset

Spring Goal breaks the track record for aged trotting horses

Spring Goal not only upset the strong favorite Coraggioso, but he also secured a fresh 1:53.1 track record for aged trotting horses while winning Friday night's $10,000 Open Trot at Vernon Downs.

Taking over the top spot from Spring Goal following a :26.4 opening quarter, Coraggioso, who established a Vernon record for 4-year-old trotting horses after a 1:53.4 triumph in last week's Open test, controlled the eighth race until the final furlong.  Spring Goal, who then drafted in the cat-bird's spot behind the leader until the stretch showdown, out maneuvered Coraggioso through a :28.3 final quarter to gain the win by one length. 

Spring Goal's strong showing with trainer Rick Plano at the controls resulted in the fastest mile by a member of the diagonal gait at the eight-night meeting, and it earned the 5-year-old bay battler a new win mark by one full second.  It was the second local score, third in 13 season's starts and 12^th overall for the speedy son of Yankee Glide-Maragoal Miss, who is owned by Maryann Plano (Rick's wife).  He's now accounted for more than $171,500 in Standardbred prize money.

Friday's swift score was one of three tallies during an 11-race program for trainer/driver Rick Plano, who secured his second triple of the local campaign.  The defending driving and training champ is currently tops in both categories again this season at the Downs with 20 and 10 credits, respectively.

Three-win performances during the evening were also posted by drivers Roman Lopez, Truman Gale and trainer Jocelyn Lavigne.

DOWNS DOINGS—Lopez, who trails Plano by five scores in Vernon's current driving derby, tops the defending champ 3-2 in three-win outings at the budding meet…After the Plano-piloted Ulay Boko tied the Lopez-handled Hold On Tightly at three in event four for the local season's longest winning streak, Hold On Tightly took back top honors in the category two races later with a career-best 1:57 triumph…Back racing after missing two scheduled programs due to an Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) outbreak at the track, the Downs has announced that it will continue with just Friday and Saturday night live competition through May 25…Saturday's 11-race card will begin at 6:45 p.m. and include a $10,000 Open Pace (race eight), a wall calendar giveaway and a Cash Cube promotion…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.

Racing Will Resume at Vernon Downs during EHV-1 Quarantine

There will be live racing at Vernon Downs this weekend by permission of the New York State Gaming Commission. Vernon will race a full card of 11 races on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 at 6:45pm each evening.

Vernon live racing will continue with this schedule until further notice. Thursday, May 9 racing has been canceled and there will be no racing on Thursday during the month of May. 

Racing will be restricted to those horses currently stabled in quarantine at Vernon Downs, excluding the horses in secured quarantine within the stable area.

All horses racing will have their temperature taken prior to entering the paddock. Those horses with a temperature in excess of 101.5 will be denied entry to the paddock and excluded from competition.

EHV-1 is not transferable to humans.

"We are in complete compliance with all directives issued by the NYS Gaming Commission," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing at Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs. "We appreciate their attention to this serious equine health issue and permitting those horsemen confined to the backstretch to race their horses so they can generate some income. While we remain vigilant in our work to prevent any further spread of the EHV-1 outbreak, we are optimistic that things will return to normal in a few weeks here at Vernon."

The track is open for simulcasting on the regular schedule throughout the quarantine period. Visit the Vernon Downs website for updates.

Update on Equine Herpes Virus at Vernon Downs

Courtesy of Lee Park, Director of Communications, New York State Gaming Commission


Three horses stabled at Vernon Downs are known to be infected with a strain of the Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1).

One of these horses was humanely euthanized.

EHV-1 is a viral infection which can cause respiratory disease, abortion in broodmares, death in newborn foals and can also be a very serious neurological disease. The virus does not affect people.

As of May 8, no other horses at New York racetracks or additional horses at Vernon Downs have been reported to have EHV-1.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets has implemented a 28-day quarantine period. No horses will be permitted to ship in or out of Vernon Downs until 28 days after the Department of Agriculture and Markets has determined that the infected horses stop showing symptoms of EHV-1.

Barn number 4 and barn number 2 at Vernon Downs are under strict quarantine, and the only persons permitted to enter these barns are horse caretakers assigned to those barns. Horses in these barns are prohibited from racing or training on the track. These barns will remain under strict quarantine until 28 days after the last signs of EHV-1 are seen in their populations.

Based on these procedures, the Gaming Commission has authorized Vernon Downs to resume live racing on Friday (May 10) with unaffected horses that are currently on the grounds of the racetrack.

The quarantine procedures are subject to change as both the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Gaming Commission continue to monitor the situation at Vernon Downs closely and may modify restrictions based on conditions on-site and/or new information.

For more information on EHV-1, visit the American Association of Equine Practitioner’s website or check the USDA APHIS’ brochure on the virus.

 

Vernon Downs Equine Herpes Virus Update

Vernon Downs' stable area remains under quarantine as a safety precaution after a case of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) was diagnosed on Saturday. The virus is currently contained to one barn on the Vernon backstretch. That barn is under constant secured quarantine.

After consultation with the NY Agriculture Board's Director, Dr. David Smith, the following practices are suggested for horses in the area and those transported from track to track: monitor the body temperature several times each day and perform regular examinations for nasal discharge or coughing. A temperature of 101.5 and above or noticeable discharge requires immediate veterinary attention.

While EHV-1 is not transmittable to humans, it may be spread from horse to horse by common contact. It is also spread through respiratory secretions and via contaminated feed buckets, food, grooming tools and other equine equipment. Take measures to maintain high standards and hygienic methods when performing stable tasks.

Information on EHV-1 is available by following this link:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/31476/progress-report-on-equine-herpesvirus-ehv-1

At this time, the intention is to race Thursday's card at Vernon using only those horses stabled at the track. 

No ship-ins will be granted entry to the barn area and will be scratched from the races without penalty.

The length of the quarantine is undetermined at this time. The situation will continue to be monitored by both track and state officials and any updates will be made known in a timely fashion.

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Precautions at other tracks:

The following precautions address only those horses that have raced at Vernon Downs from April 19 through May 3. They are in place for the protection of the entire harness racing community.

 
If you have a horse that has raced at Vernon during that period, contact the Tioga Downs or Meadowlands Race Office to discuss what stipulations need to be met for the entry to be accepted at those tracks. Upon arrival at the track, the shipper must produce an official health certificate current within 72 hours and each horse will be subject to an examination by a track veterinarian.

Vernon Downs shut down with confirmed case of Equine Herpes

After a confirmed case of equine herpes at Vernon Downs, management and the New York Gaming Commission have made the decision to cancel racing tonight at Vernon Downs in the best interest of the harness racing community.

No horses will be allowed to ship into or out of Vernon Downs until further notice, and trainers attempting will be dealt with accordingly. Horsemen and women at Vernon Downs should use hygienic precaution when working from horse to horse, trainers should keep an eye on their horses, and continually take their temperature.

If you have raced at Vernon Downs in the last two weeks or are stabled at Vernon you should take your horses temperature twice a day. If the temperature is over 101.5 you should notify a veterinarian immediately.

Horses who have raced at Vernon Downs from April 19 through May 3 should contact the Tioga Downs' race office to check on certain stipulations regarding their eligibility to race.

Management and the New York Gaming Commission will continue to gather more information on the situation and more information will be made available as soon as possible

Coraggioso Returns a Winner

NYSS Champion Coraggioso wins in his 2013 debut

Reigning New York Sires Stakes champion Coraggioso was fast and fit in his season's debut on Friday night, capturing the $10,000 Vernon Downs featured eighth race and setting a track record for 4-year-old trotting horses.

Trainer Gates Brunet was at the controls in the week's Open test as favored Coraggioso, winner of the NYSS 2012 title test for 3-year-old colt trotters, got cover early in Friday's mile contest.  The quick-striding son of Conway Hall-Electra Hanover rallied from third in the final quarter (authoring a :28.3 final fraction) to defeat the front-striding A Penny Earned by a head in a career-best 1:53.4, lowering the track's former standard for his class (set by Winning Mister in 2010) by one tick of the timer, and establishing a season's fastest trotting mark at the central New York 7/8ths-mile oval.

Friday's fantastic performance earned the career-winner of more than $511,400 his 12^th lifetime victory for owners Joseph Spadaro and Tom J. Durkin, the famed announcer for the New York Racing Association.

Friday's fastest mile was a 1:52.3 victory by the pacer Windows Online, who became a two-time winner at the seven-night meet with a bold-going effort in the evening's seventh session.  It was one of three tallies during the 12-race program for defending driving champ and current leader Rick Plano.  He also finished first with Ulay Boko (1:55.2) in the sixth session and To Tell The Truth (1:53) in race 10.  His wife, Maryann, owns the latter two Standardbreds.

Driver John MacDonald was also a multiple winner during Friday's format, posting a pair of first-place finishes.

DOWNS DOINGS—Vernon will offer simulcast wagering on Saturday's Kentucky Derby, which is slated to start at 6:24 p.m….The Downs will begin its live racing at 5:10 p.m., offering three events before the famed "Run For The Roses," and 10 additional races after it…The $15,200 Anthony J. Farina Memorial Pacing Series final (race nine) and the $14,600 Catherine Burton Memorial Trotting Series championship clash (race seven) will serve as Saturday co-features...Thursday night racing (first post 6:45) will return to the Downs starting May 9…Vernon's 90-card campaign continues through November 2…A complete racing and stakes calendar, as well as additional information regarding Vernon Downs, its casino, hotel, racing and promotional events can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com.