SC Rewind: Vernon Downs Reaches Milestone

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls a very important milestone in harness racing history.  He takes readers back to over 40 years ago when Vernon Downs recorded its 1,000th "Miracle Mile" in the track's history.  He also recalls some early happenings related to the unique Vernon Downs and a bit of its now long history. 

Close to 70 years ago the sport of harness racing literally took on a new dimension.  When Vernon Downs, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Central New York, opened their recently completed track for business everything was brand new — even the size of the track. While trotters and pacers had been competing for centuries, they had nearly always "done their thing" on a half-mile track and in a few rare locations over a mile track.  The architects of the new ultra-modern Vernon Downs thought it was time for a change.  Their track was laid out at a new distance of 3/4 mile. 

The track logo shown above displayed a profile of the track's unique shape (Harness Horse photo) 

If you were part of the opening day crowd back on July 1, 1953 you might have been a little confused if you had the right place for harness racing.  A quick look at the track showed a six furlong oval with a quarter mile chute.  This seemed like the perfect confirmation for a minor league thoroughbred track, but it was indeed built for harness racing. 

A view of the Vernon track layout as it appeared back in 1953 just before it opened. The starting chute is at the left (Hoof Beats)

The stable area at Vernon at the time of its opening in 1953 (Hoof Beats Photo) 

The theory behind the plan was that it would provide safety and speed, and it did. In 1955 the pacer Adios Harry paced the mile in 1:55, a record that stood for 18 years. For all practical purposes the three-quarter mile track was actually a mile track. In the early years Vernon Downs because of its speed ended up on the Grand Circuit tour and many of the top horses and drivers competed at the oval. 

From its very beginning the Vernon track attracted the top horses and horsepeople from all areas of the country.  In the inaugural season names such as Wayne "Curly" Smart,  Ralph Baldwin, Joe O'Brien, Tom Berry, Frank Ervin, Jimmy Wingfield and many more were regulars at the new track.  During opening week a young lad named Buddy Gilmour, then just 21, won six races in the first four nights to become the first driver to accomplish that feat. He was already driving like a seasoned veteran. 

By the third year of operation Vernon Downs was setting records like never seen before.  One horse in particular seemed to do very well nearly every time he set foot on the track. It almost seemed like Adios Harry set a new record in every appearance. 

Adios Harry in full flight at Vernon with Luther Lyons driving.  This horse drew national attention to the new Vernon track when he paced a number of very fast miles in  1955.  (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Batson Kidner) 

Milestone Reached In 1980 

Ms. Hermi Kinne secretary in the Vernon Downs Publicity Dept. is shown adjusting the sign on the Vernon records board after the track recorded its historic 1,000th "miracle mile" (photo from the Standardbred Record)

After over 25 years of racing had passed, in 1980 Vernon Downs recorded its 1,000th "Miracle Mile."  On the evening of August 16, 1980 a 1:57.2 mile by the pacer J Js Apollo driven by Bill Adams established the historic record.  This horse was trained by Susan Keleti for co-owners The Turf Stable of New York, Geri and Robert Linski of New Jersey and the Kevbro Stable of Florida.  

Somewhat amazing to me was the fact that in the first 1,000 sub 2:00 miles the ratio of pacers to trotters was very lopsided.  From the 1,000 miles, 914 were on the pacing gait while just 86 were trotters.  In 1980 when this milestone was reached the fastest trotting mile in the track's history was held by Speed In Action and driver Delvin Miller at 1:57.  The fastest pacing mile belonged to none other than Niatross who zipped over the three-quarter mile strip in 1:53.3 for part owner Clint Galbraith. 

VERNON DOWNS TRIVIA QUESTION

When Vernon notched their 1,000th sub 2:00 mile in 1980  they became the fourth track in history to achieve that distinction.  Can you name the three tracks that preceded them? 

Closing Note: In 2000 after 47 years of the unique six-furlong track configuration replete with a chute for starting one-mile races in the homestretch, a new 7/8-mile oval was unveiled on July 1 coincidental with the date the track opened in 1953.  (Courtesy of Vernon Downs website)

Shown below are a few old photos related to the history of Vernon Downs, particularly the earlier years.  See if you can answer the questions related to each picture. 

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1. Can you name this legendary horse who became rather famous racing at Vernon and later had a bar named after him. 

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2. These two horses, both with Canadian connections,  are involved in a pretty close finish.   Can you identify the horses and drivers and also name the winner? No further clues offered other than "be careful" when you pick the winner. 

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3. These two famous drivers were part of the first year racing scene in 1953.  Can you name them both? 

Quote For The Week: In the early days of racing at the Vernon track people marvelled at the speeds that were achieved with regularity. When veteran and colourful Canadian horseman Morrie MacDonald was asked what he thought about all the fast times recorded at the 3/4 mile track he responded: "That track is so fast I could go a 1/4 mile in 30 seconds without a horse." 

Who Is It? 

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The above gentleman was a very successful driver at Vernon early in his career.  Can you name him? 

Who Else Is It? 

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This is an oldie so I will give some clues.  During the first year of racing at Vernon this veteran Canadian owned horse and driver made at least one trip to the winner's circle.   This horse and driver were earlier winners of the Canadian Pacing Derby when it was held at New Hamburg, Ont. but not as a pair. The horse won it with another driver and the driver won this famous race with another horse. The driver's grandson (and namesake) was a longtime official in Ontario racing circles.  (Harness Horse photo)