by Nick Salvi, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The Vernon horse colony will be on display Tuesday evening (April 6) for the first qualifying races of the 2010 season.

The 6:55 p.m. post time is designed to “knock the dust off” the venerable racing facility and local press will be invited to attend and enjoy refreshments along with the nine-race card.

The Howie and Jessica Okusko stable has a horse in every race, led by local favories Smokey Bones and Bet The Ranch. Familiar names like Bailey, Dewhurst, Whittemore and Lems dot the card and two new ones, qualifying drivers Josh Kinney and Pete Lancaster, have a number of drives over the course of the evening.

Vernon will offer qualifiers on Tuesday and Friday (back to the morning trials after Tuesday’s festivities) until live racing begins on Friday, April 16.