Anndrovette Leads Sire Stakes Action on Labor Day

The nifty filly Anndrovette continued her winning ways with a career-best 1:52.1 performance in the opening division of Labor Day’s $146,073 New York Sires Stakes headliner for 3-year-old pacing distaffers at Vernon Downs.

Taking on five formidable rivals in Monday afternoon’s third event, Anndrovette called all the shots en route to a five-length tally over Crown Lady. She paid $2.20 for finishing first.

The route-going effort marked the third NYSS score in succession for the bay daughter of Riverboat King-Easy Miss, who is owned by trainer Mark Kesmodel, along with Joseph Devino and Jeffrey Bamond.

Jason Bartlett drove the career winner of more than $181,000 to her sixth lifetime triumph.

Bartlett also guided Enduring Delight ($3.60) to a 1:53.1 decision over Love And Honor in Monday’s second NYSS flight; race six on the 12-event program.

It was the fourth career win (all this season) for the bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Enduring Dream, who equaled her lifetime speed mark.

She has returned more than $133,900 in 17 starts to owner-trainer Ron Coyne, Jr. and the Two Ninjas Stable.

In Monday’s final NYSS flight, race nine, the sensational Hula’s Z Tam ($2.10) improved her overall record to 12 victories in 16 lifetime starts with a 1:52.4 verdict over Buy Art.

With trainer Pat Lachance at the controls, the productive bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Tsunami Hanover earned her second straight NYSS win, improved her season’s summary line to 6-2-1 after nine outings and increased her all-time bankroll to $559,100 for Lachance and partners Margaret Dey and the Z Tam Stables, LLC.

The veteran speedster You Bet Your Glass ($11.40) responded eagerly to the commands of catch-driver Claude Huckabone, Jr. while posting a 1:51.4 victory in Monday’s $10,000 10th event, the week’s top Miracle Mile pacing contest.

It was the fifth win at the meet for the gritty gelding, who is registered to trainer Arnie Marks and William Williams, Jr.

In addition to Bartlett’s double, drivers Rick Plano, Josh Marks, as well as trainers Marks and Howard Okusko, Jr., each secured a pair of wins during the track’s 61st program.

DOWNS DOINGS—Provisional pilot Truman Gale authored his fourth victory at the meet following a 1:55.3 outing behind the pacer Printing A Place in the day’s last race…Due to the Labor Day matinee, there will be no live racing here this Thursday (Sept. 9). Live competition will resume on Friday (Sept. 10) with the $200,000 (est.) Conway Hall Open mare trot, and a leg of the Kindergarten Series for freshman trotters.

Pair of Track Records Fall on Thursday Night Card

Southwind Wasabi and Dejarmbro each crafted track record performances during Thursday night’s 10-race program at Vernon Downs.

While turning in the second fastest trotting mile in the track’s 57-year history, Southwind Wasabi produced a 1:53 Downs standard for 4-year-old mares on the diagonal gait with her solid two-length score in Vernon’s $25,000 leg of the Miss Versatility Series for older mare trotters.

The favorite Dejarmbro delivered a personal-best 1:55.3 victory in the opening division of Thursday’s $133,708 New York Sires Stake for 2-year-old male trotters that chopped 4/5ths-of-a-second off the previous mark for freshman colt high-steppers, set by Blacktuxwhitesocks last season.

As the crowd’s fourth wagering choice, Southwind Wasabee paid $25.20 after collecting her third season’s score for the Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Howard Taylor and James Koran ownership contingent.

Vernon’s leading driver Josh Marks did the teaming for trainer Ron Burke.

With Jeff Gregory steering for trainer Jessica Okusko and Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Stables, Dejarmbro converted a pocket trip into his third straight score and fourth tally in six lifetime starts. He paid $3.40.

Thursday’s other NYSS colt/gelding divisional winners were I’m The Answer (Gregory driving for trainer Okusko and the Purple Haze Stables) in 1:56.4, Tiger’s Too Good (Wally Hennessey steering for trainer Joe Holloway, a part owner along with Hugh Grant, Jr., L & L Devisser LLC, and the Val D’Or Farms) in 1:57.2, and the dead-heat first place finishers Keenan (Jim Morrill, Jr. piloting for trainer Larry Remmen and owners John Lichtenberger and Ray Remmen) and Neal (David Miller sitting in for trainer Jim Campbell and the Fashion Farms) in 1:57.3.

Off The Grid (Morrill, Jr. teaming for owner-trainer Jody Weidman) earned a 1:57.4 speed mark and his fourth season’s score while posting the fastest divisional triumph in Thursday’s $39,500 NYSS late-closing contest for 3-year-old male trotters.

The evening’s other late-closing flights went to Black Licorice (Brian Mattison handling the lines for trainer Paul Kelley and the East Pond Stable) in 1:58.1, and Signal Hill Ginger (Gregory getting the call from trainer Tim Lanpher and owner Wesley Chandler) in 2:00.

Gregory chalked up four wins during the track’s 58th program, while Okusko, the track’s defending conditioning champ, was credited with three tallies.

DOWNS DOINGS—Vivid Photo is still the track’s fastest trotter of all time on the basis of a 1:52.1 mile in 2007…Morrill, Jr. visited Vernon’s winner’s circle twice during Thursday’s program…The Keenan-Neal tie marked the first dead-heat for win at the meet…Friday night’s 10-race card will begin at 6:55 p.m.

Lopez Posts First Driving Triple

Driver Roman Lopez used a 1:56 victory by Sundowner Bob in the $9,000 featured ninth race on Friday night to record his initial triple of the season at Vernon Downs.

Following victories behind Brian Earl Doolittle’s trotter Naughty Broadway (1:59.2) in the first race, and Don Brainard’s high-stepper Peaceful Prince (1:58) in the seventh session, Lopez guided Sundowner Bob to a front-striding, neck triumph over the on-rushing Gladiator Lindy in the week’s top Miracle Mile trotting contest.

The favorite paid $5.70 for finishing first.

The bold-going performance marked the third tally at the meet and 31st all-time for trainer Scott West’s 9-year-old son of Muscles Yankee-Pine Potion, who hiked his lifetime earnings to more than $394,300.

In Friday’s third test, catch-driver Rick Plano, doing the steering for trainer Dave Jannone, piloted Brenda Komers’ freshman Diamond Star to a 1:54.3 maiden-breaking victory that proved to be the fastest locally this season by a 2-year-old pacing gelding.

The time was just 2/5ths of a second off the track record for this class, shared by Three Card Monte (1998) and Four Starz Louie (2007).

Plano earned a driving double during Friday’s 11-race program, as did defending dash champ Jimmy Whittemore.

DOWNS DOINGS—Lopez also owns a driving double at the meet…Saturday’s 12-race offering includes two divisions of the C.K.G. Billings Series for amateur drivers of trotters (races one and three), as well as the week’s top Miracle Mile pacing contest (race six). First post will be at 6:55 p.m.

See You at Peelers Breaks Track Record in NYSS Win

The precocious, still unbeaten freshman See You At Peelers posted a 1:51.3 track record and her seventh straight score in the opening division of Saturday night’s $135,624 New York Sires Stakes feature for 2-year-old filly pacers at Vernon Downs.

With Marcus Johansson steering for trainer Jimmy Takter, See You At Peelers shot out for the early lead, then drafted in second behind Drop The Ball until deep stretch, before regaining the top spot and winning by 1-1/4 lengths.

She paid $7.30 for finishing first.

It was the second straight tally at Vernon for the talented bay daughter of Bettor’s Delight-West Side Glory, who is shared in ownership by Christina Takter (Jimmy’s wife), John and Jim Fielding.

The career winner of nearly $90,000 trimmed 4/5ths-of-a-second off the previous Downs standard for her age, sex and gait, which was established by My Girl’s A Star eight nights earlier.

Saturday’s other NYSS divisional winners were Asteria Blue Chip (Bettor’s Delight-Weeping Wanabe), in 1:53.1 for driver Jeff Gregory, trainer Linda Toscano and the Stake Your Claim 17 stable, Janet Seltzer, Glenn Silverstein and Jeffrey Scott contingent, My Girl’s A Star (Art Major-Ifuwantitcumngetit), in 1:55.2 for driver Gareth Dowse, trainer Ray Schnittker and owner Mathias Meinzinger, and Southwind Jazmin (Art Major-Juliet’s Fate), in 1:53.3 for driver Jack Moiseyev, trainer Mark Harder and owner Rick Phillips.

Newcomer Tarver Hanover captured his Downs debut with a front-striding 1:52.2 triumph in Saturday’s $10,000 Miracle Mile-1 pace.

Trainer Sam Schillaci did the steering for the Wiz Kids Stable as the 9-year-old son of Ball And Chain earned his sixth season’s score, 45th lifetime victory and increased his all-time earnings to more than $721,000.

The pacer Up Front Rudy raised his meet-leading win total to eight after posting a 1:52.1 victory in Saturday’s 11th event for catch-driver Jimmy Whittemore, trainer/co-owner Jody Weidman and his partner George Mathar.

DOWNS DOINGS—Following his win, Up Front Rudy was claimed for $7,000 by Don Cromer…Chris Lems, the meet’s third-leading driver earned a triple during Saturday’s 12-race card, while trainer Arnie Marks was credited with a double…Vernon will offer live racing at 6:55 Thursday-Saturday nights next week.

Seasonal Record Matched in Kindergarten Classic Series

Charlie De Vie tied the season’s standard for 2-year-old trotting colts, while John Paul’s Legacy equaled the all-time track record for aged trotting horses during Friday night’s 12-race program at Vernon Downs.

Charlie De Vie bullied his way to a front-striding 1:58.2 personal-best record while capturing Friday’s $10,000 fifth race, the male division of the Kindergarten Classic Series for freshman high-steppers.

It was the first career win for the brown son of Yankee Glide-Knickers Hanover, who is driven and trained by Oyvind Hegdal and owned by the Joie De Vie Farm.

In Friday’s $11,000 sixth session, John Paul’s Legacy also led from start to finish for catch-driver Jimmy Whittemore, stopping the timer in 1:55.1 to capture the week’s premier Miracle Mile class for representatives of the diagonal gait.

It was the fifth season’s score and 17th lifetime victory for the 5-year-old son of Credit Winner-Amore Vita, who is trained by Angus Mac Donald and owned by Emil Benvenuto.

Charlie De Vie’s mile equaled the current colt trotting mark, set by Surface Tension on Aug. 12, while John Paul’s Legacy tied the all-time horse trotting record, established by Fight Cheer in 1999.

Kindergarten Classic Series $10,000 2-year-old filly flights went to first time winners Lady Pixie (Yankee Glide-B Cor Peatra), in 2:02.1 for driver Ruel “Dude” Goodblood, Jr., trainer Larry Rathbone and the M & L Stable for Delaware, Inc., and Sacred Saint (Chocolatier-Sister Sammy), in 1:59.4 for driver/trainer Trond Smedshammer and owners Robert M and David H. Anderson.

DOWNS DOINGS—Defending driving champ Whittemore earned his seventh hat trick during Friday’s 53rd program. He also scored with the trotters Ashco’s Scotty (1:58.4) and Hit Me Baby (1:59)…Cool Touch’s 1:55 victory in race eight was his sixth at the meet, tying him with Fox Valley Majesty for most trotting tallies through Aug. 20. Josh Marks did the teaming for owner/trainer Scott West…The pacer Up Front Rudy currently leads in equine victories at the meet with seven…Saturday night’s 12-race card, which begins at 6:55, features four divisions of a $101,268 New York Sires Stake for 2-year-old filly pacers and the week’s top Miracle Mile pacing contest

Vernon Downs horsemen award $9,000 in college scholarships

The Harness Horse Association of Central New York is proud to announce its 2010 college scholarship winners.

First place winner of the cherished prize of a $5,000 scholarship is John Mondrick II of Durhamville, N.Y.

John, a 2010 graduate of Oneida High School, is attending Alfred State College of Technology. He is majoring in Engineering Science.

His mom and dad accepted the award on behalf of their son who is away at Alfred State, “taking full advantage of his current accomplishments and working hard on his future,” said Harness Horse Association of Central New York President Rick Papa.

Daniel Daley of Lake Worth, Fla., was awarded the $2,500 scholarship. Daniel is a 2008 graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and is attending Florida State University.

Daniel has a double major, Political Science and Criminology, and is the son of famed trainer/driver Dan Daley and his lovely bride Ann Mari. Like John Mondrick, Dan is a longtime Vernon horseman.

Justin Gordon of Clinton, N.Y., was the beneficiary of the $1,500 scholarship. Justin is a graduate of New Hartford High School and is attending Oswego State University of New York and majoring in Communications Media and the Arts.

Justin is pursuing a music and teaching career. His proud parents Lance and Deborah also are stalwarts at Vernon Downs.

“The scholarship committee reviewed several applications and weighted financial need, community service, the written explanation of the application and academic performance. The Committee used a ‘blind review,’ not knowing the names of the applicants before the review process,” stated Committee Chairman Joseph Camerino.

“We are very proud of all applicants and we want to thank everyone who applied. All of those applicants are winners in our minds and we are overjoyed to help in whatever way we can as an association of the hard working dedicated horsemen here at Vernon and their families.”

Economic and Job related impact to be felt with Vernon Downs Events Center Expansion Project

The new $8.1 million dollar expansion project at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel that’s set to break ground on Friday, August 20th will give a nice economic push to the surrounding community.

The expansion project will create 50 construction jobs during the one year projected project, and 50 new full-time employment positions at Vernon Downs over a three-year period once finalized.

The project is expected to increase revenue through raising total traffic at Vernon Downs with weddings, conventions, and special events.

The Vernon Downs expansion will include a state of the art 70-seat simulcast facility, 16,000 square foot multi-purpose room for meetings, conferences, and events, rooftop garden area for catering events overlooking the racetrack, 119-seat dine in restaurant, two tier outdoor patio space, and 1,000 square foot lounge and bar area on the third floor.

Opened in 2006, Vernon Downs Casino Hotel occupies a 34,000 square foot gaming facility featuring over 750 video gaming machines, restaurants, lounges and arcades in addition to live racing and simulcasting.

The property also offers an all-suites hotel and employs approximately 345 people.

Vernon Downs Casino Hotel is open year-round and is located on Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.