Vernon Downs is set to begin its 65th season of live racing this Friday (April 20), and the card will kick off with a new first-race post time.

The new first post will be at 6:10 p.m.

Opening night will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway. Also, the popular ‘That’s My Driver’ promotion will take place during the card. Five entries will be randomly selected following Race 2. All will have a chance to win up to $140.

There will be a large fireworks display at the conclusion of the evening’s racing.

Highlights for the 2018 Vernon season include ‘Derby Day’ featuring the live showing of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5 (the live card will feature a special first-race post time of 4:30 p.m.). Memorial Day (May 28) will feature the Empire Classic finals for both three-year-old filly trotters and three-year-old trotting colts. Each final will race for a purse of $250,000 (estimated) with a post time of 1:05 p.m. The Zweig Memorial races will take place on Friday (August 17) and will feature the Zweig three-year-old colt Trot ($370,000, est.) and three-year-old filly trot ($150,000, est.).

The ‘Million Dollar Ball Drop’ will take place on Saturday, August 18. The Horseplay Car Giveaway, featuring a 2017 Ford Fiesta, will take place on Saturday, September 1.

John MacDonald will attempt to defend the driving (185 wins) and training (57 wins) titles he won at the track in 2017. MacDonald was also the owner and trainer of Oh My Joepa, who won Horse of the Year honours at the track.

Vernon’s 11-race Friday card will feature the opening leg of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series. A live bugler will be on hand for the festivities as well.

(With files from Vernon Downs)