Hambletonian, Canadian Trotting Classic and Kentucky Futurity champion Deweycheatumnhowe has drawn Post 2 for his return to Vernon Downs, which is set for Friday, October 31.
The $3.1 million earner will line up behind the Vernon Downs' starting gate in the eighth race of the night with co-owner, trainer, and usual driver Ray Schnittker at the controls. 'Dewey' will line up against four other competitors in the $20,000 three to five-year-old Open. The return to Vernon will begin his preparation for the final conquest of his career, the Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands on November 29 (eliminations, if necessary, on November 22).
Ray Schnittker, Vernon Downs, Tioga Downs, Upstate New York USHWA Chapter, and Jeff Gural have partnered up to begin the Dewey Degree Scholarship Fund named in honour of the champion Deweycheatumnhowe. The scholarship, in which $3,000 was donated by Ray Schnittker, will total for $6,000 and will be given out for the first time in 2009. The Upstate New York USHWA Chapter will handle the scholarship details that will be released at a later date in 2008.
"We appreciate Ray's willingness to promote Dewey and the sport of harness racing at Vernon Downs. We are also honored that Ray has agreed to donate to the Dewey Degree Scholarship Fund, and we are matching his amount at Tioga and Vernon," said Jason Settlemoir, vice president of Racing and Simulcast at Vernon. "Deweycheatumnhowe racing at Vernon twice in one year is memorable for the fans as they get to see one of the greatest trotters to step on to a racetrack."
(Vernon Downs)