by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs will present its first New York Sires Stakes feature of the season this Friday evening — a $74,752 contest for state-bred two-year-old filly pacers.

The 33 NYSS entries were split into divisions that’ll make up the second, third, fourth and fifth events on Friday night’s 11 race card, which also features this week’s $5,000 Open Trot in race six and a $5,000 Open Pace in race nine. First post will be at 6:30 p.m.

Friday’s racing completes the week’s live harness racing action at the Downs. The track will be the site of a “Thunder at the Downs” motorcycle show both Saturday and Sunday.

Freshman harness horses are just beginning their racing careers, but the pacing filly Pembroke Firefly has already distinguished herself as a promising offspring of first-crop sire The Firepan. While all of the fillies appearing on Friday night’s program are still learning how to become racehorses, Pembroke Firefly seems to be ahead of the educational curve, having posted all three of her career outings in the win column, including a 1:58 performance here last week.

“I think if (Pembroke Firefly) stays as good as she is right now, she’ll give a good account of herself this year,” said trainer Jack Bailey, who conditions Pembroke Firefly at Vernon for owner William Varney of Maine.

Though Bailey explains that Pembroke Firefly has not dealt with any real competition in her two overnight starts at Vernon and the Landmark Stakes at Historic Track in Goshen, New York, he could tell that she would be a good horse early on.

“When we got down to 2:10, I liked her,” he said. “She was good gaited, she didn’t hit. She is a big gaited filly and wears a loose hopple. I liked her dam (Twinkie Lo), a Big Towner mare. She was a nice mare and didn’t get the credit she deserved and I always thought she would be a good broodmare.”

Bailey’s charge has already proved her versatility — winning from off the pace, on the front end and even hanging on to win after a parked-out trip. The trainer has only one plan for her when she starts on Friday in rein to his son, Bill — continue winning.

DOWNS DOINGS: Three of Friday night’s six starters by The Firepan are owned by Bob Glazer’s Peter Pan Stables, who campaigned the stallion during his racing career. The promising young sire currently stands at SUNY Morrisville…The “Thunder at the Downs” motorcycle event will take place from 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 per person. Additional information can be found at www.NOSTALGIASHOWS.com…While there will be no live harness racing at the Downs on Saturday night (July 24), the track’s regular afternoon and evening simulcast offerings will be available.