Vernon Downs is set to begin its 73rd anniversary season of racing on Saturday, April 18. Post time for Opening Night is 5:05 p.m., with a t-shirt giveaway after the third race.
In preparation for the season, Vernon Downs will be holding 12 qualifying races on Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m. Guests who want an early glimpse of the racing action are welcome to watch from the track apron.
On Saturday, May 2, Vernon Downs will simulcast the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Guests can enjoy betting on the full card of racing at Churchill Downs as well as live harness racing at Vernon. They can participate in the $700 USD Win and Wager promotion and enjoy mint julep specials as the Kentucky Derby will appear on televisions around the facility.
Vernon's 2025 leading driver Leon Bailey and leading trainer Michelle Warner will return to defend their titles. Last season’s titles came down to the wire as both weren’t clinched until closing night 2025.
Vernon once again host several stakes races including eight New York Sire Stakes cards featuring many of the top trainers and drivers in the sport. On June 12, the three-year-old filly trotters and three-year-old trotting colts will take center stage in the $500,000 USD Empire Breeders Classic. The $600,000 USD Zweig Memorial, which annually features the best Grand Circuit sophomore trotters on the road to the Aug. 8, $1 million USD Hambletonian at The Meadowlands, will take place on a special Sunday night card on July 19.
To close out the season’s stakes action, the second New York Sire Stakes Big Apple finals for state-bred freshmen will offer $1 million USD in purses. Elimination races are set for Friday, Oct. 2 with a $250,000 USD final for each division of trotters and pacers on Oct. 9.
Vernon's reoccurring giveaways include the popular Meat Madness and Back-To-School gift cards as well as the new Beat the Heat and Pluck a Duck promotion. The Friday Easy As 1-2-3 promotions offer discounted food and drink specials. On July 4, a spectacular fireworks show will follow the races. “Corntasic Weekend” will take place from Aug. 14-15 with free hot ears of corn on both nights. The always popular Horse Play Car Giveaway starts on May 8 and runs until Oct. 10.
Live harness racing takes place from April through November and entry to the track is free every race day. Individuals must be 18 years of age to wager on horses and participate in promotions and giveaways.
For post time information, promotion rules and details and the full 2026 live racing calendar, visit vernondowns.com.
(Vernon Downs)