Vernon Downs is set to begin its 66th year of racing on Friday evening (April 19).
Opening night will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway, along with a live bugler. In the popular “That’s My Driver” promotion, which returns on Opening Night, five fans on-track will be randomly selected following race two, and each contestant will have a chance to win up to $140. A large fireworks display will follow the conclusion of the evening's races.
Highlights for the season include “Derby Day,” featuring the live showing of the Kentucky Derby on May 4 and a special post time of 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day (May 27) features the Empire Breeders Classic finals for both three-year-old trotting fillies and three-year-old trotting colts. Each final will carry an estimated purse of $250,000 with a post time of 1:05 p.m. The Zweig Memorial races will take place on August 17, with the three-year-old colt trot worth an estimated $370,000 and the three-year-old filly trot worth an estimated $150,000.
In 2018, John MacDonald and Jimmy Whittemore landed in a flat-footed tie for top driving honours. The two battled back and forth all year before ending with 115 wins each. MacDonald was once again the top trainer at the Miracle Mile with 65 wins, including eight wins from local Horse of the Year Kabu, whom he trained for the J P Stables.
A new voice will grace the Miracle Mile on Opening Night, as Rich Mattei takes over the race calling duties at Vernon Downs.
The 11-race card for Friday will feature leg one of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series; post time is 6:10 p.m. For more information, visit www.vernondowns.com.
(Vernon Downs)