Vernon Downs is gearing up to host its first Drivers’ Championship during State Fair weekend in Vernon, New York on Sunday, August 26.

The Drivers’ Championship, which has been a huge hit at Tioga Downs in past years, will be relocated to Vernon for 2012, along with the annual bobblehead giveaway, featuring last year’s champion, Jody Jamieson. As always, bobbleheads will be given away before the races, and the drivers participating in the Championship will be on hand for an autograph session and driver meet-and-greet beginning at 11:45 a.m. on the trackside apron.

If the deadline for the Drivers’ Championship were today (which it is not, deadline is Monday, August 6), the top seven money-winning drivers would be Tim Tetrick, Yannick Gingras, George Brennan, Ron Pierce, Brian Sears, David Miller, and Dave Palone. Vernon Downs’ leading driver (in earnings) is currently Jim Morrill Jr., and by the looks of it should finish as the leader in earnings come down to the deadline.

Vernon Downs is proud to invite all owners and horsemen participating at Vernon Downs during the State Fair weekend (August 24 – 26) to be part of their weekend celebration. Vernon will be putting on a carnival-like atmosphere at the track all weekend long, holding owner barbeques and cocktail parties before the races, and hosting a free horsemen’s golf outing.

The State Fair weekend kicks off on Friday, August 24 with the two-year old filly trotters and pacers with a first-race post time of 6:55 p.m. There will be an owners' barbeque and cocktail reception at the Vernon Downs’ Founders Park at 5:00 p.m. before the races.

On Saturday, August 25, Vernon Downs will be hosting a free golf outing for all horsemen and owners in the morning (planned tee time: 8:30 a.m.). The tournament will be held at Rome Country Club and will be a four-person captain and crew format tournament. Another barbeque and cocktail reception will be held on Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. leading up to the 6:55 p.m. post for the two-year old colt and gelding pacers and trotters taking centre stage in the State Fair races.

The weekend is capped off with the $700,000 (e) Zweig Trot for 3-year old trotters, and the $50,000 Drivers’ Championship on Sunday, August 26 with a 1:15 p.m. post time.

(Vernon)