John MacDonald, who has won three consecutive driving championships at Vernon Downs, will commence his quest for four at the track this Friday (April 20), as the raceway will kick off its 2018 live meet.
First-race post time for Vernon’s Friday card will be 6:10 p.m.
MacDonald won 185 races last season. His main competition the last three years came from Chris Lems, who was runner-up in each of those seasons. Lems will be on hand opening day, but will only be driving part time at Vernon this season.
Also returning is another former track champion, Jimmy Whittemore, who was third with 82 wins in 2017. Truman Gale (54) and Leon Bailey (30) round out the top five from last year.
MacDonald, who conditioned 57 Vernon winners in 2017, will be looking for his third straight training title at the track. Andy Gardner will also return to take another crack at the training title, as he was just six wins behind MacDonald last season.
Opening day will feature free t-shirts and schedule magnets while they last. Fireworks will follow the 11-race card.
(With files from Vernon Downs)