Vernon Downs is
set to begin their 66th year of racing on Friday (April 19) with a
post time of 6:10 pm.
Opening night
will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway as well as a live bugler.
Also the popular “That’s My Driver” promotion. Five entries will be
randomly selected following Race 2. All will have a chance to win up to
$140. At the conclusion of the evening’s racing will be a large fireworks
display.
Highlights for
the season include “Derby Day” featuring the live showing of the Kentucky Derby
on Saturday (May 4) with a special post time of 4:30 pm. Memorial Day
(May 27) features The Empire Classic Finals for both 3-year-old filly trotters
and 3-year-old trotting colts. Each Final is racing for a purse of
$250,000 est. with a post time of 1:05 pm. The Zweig Memorial races will
take place on Friday (August 17) featuring the Zweig 3-year-old Colt Trot
($370,000 est.) and 3-year-old Fillies Trot ($150,000 est.).
In 2018 John
MacDonald and Jimmy Whittemore landied in a flat footed tie for top
driver. The two battled back and forth all year before ending with 115
wins each.
MacDonald was
once again top trainer at the Miracle Mile with 65 wins. He trained the
2018 horse of the year Kabu. Owned by the J P Stables, Kabu (Valley
Victor), won eight of his 18 starts at Vernon Downs in 2018.
Vernon Downs is
happy to welcome new race caller Rich Mattei. The 11 race card for Friday
will feature Leg one of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series. Post time
is 6:10 p.m.
