by Jim Moran, publicity director, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs will participate in horseracing’s Smarty Jones mania on Saturday when it simulcasts the 136th Belmont Stakes race from Belmont Park just prior to the start of its live 10 race harness program.

With the Belmont Stakes set to begin at 6:38 p.m., Vernon has advanced Saturday night’s first post time to 7:00 p.m.

Following his victories in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness races by a combined 14 and a quarter lengths, Smarty Jones is the early-line favorite to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to capture Thoroughbred racing’s “Triple Crown.”

Undefeated in eight lifetime starts, Smarty Jones will be trying to become just the 12th all-time Triple Crown winner and the first undefeated champion since Seattle Slew in 1977, when he accepts the challenge of eight rivals with various degrees of credentials in the 11th of Saturday’s 13 races at the downstate track.

The Belmont Stake will be contested at a mile and a half, which is the longest of the Triple Crown distances. Five times in the previous seven years and on nine occasions since 1978, a horse has had his Triple Crown bid thwarted in the Belmont.

With the start of the Belmont full-card simulcast at 12 noon, Vernon will present track-odds betting on 10 Thoroughbred and a like number of Standardbred tracks Saturday. Parking and admission is free, and there’s no surcharge on any winning wagers.

The Downs will offer luncheon specials at its Miracle Mile Deli concession stand, as well as an $8.95 lower clubhouse buffet from 4:00-9:00 p.m. The track’s regular $16.95 Gold Cup Buffet, featuring a Prime Rib of beef, will also be available starting at 5:00 p.m.

Raining Again, the only five-time winner in 20 programs at Vernon this season, steps up in class to take on seven rough and ready rivals, including the 3-1 pre-race favorite Little Boy Joe, in Saturday night’s $5,000 featured seventh race at the Downs.

Fresh from his sweep of the Coors Light Beer Pacing Series here last Saturday, which included a 1:54 career best performance on May 22, Raining Again will try to improve on lifetime winnings of $18,635 for owner Gordon Rumple. Bill Bailey will steer the still improving three-year-old colt from post five for trainer Howard Okusko, Sr.

After securing a 1:54 Vernon victory on May 22, the Speed To Burn Racing Stable’s Little Boy Joe finished second to Little Mister in last Saturday’s Open here. The 10-year-old gelding will be trying for his third current tally when Joe Nassimos teams the career winner of $218,437 from post seven for trainer Leslie Hale.

Also competing in Saturday’s main event will be Way To Go Chief, Civil Warrior, Bearcat Hanover, Oil Patch, Carrot Patch and Sweetsmellofsuccess.

DOWNS DOINGS: Vernon will welcome popular area radio personality Linda Rae and the “Gang from KISS-FM” to its Gold Cup dining room this Saturday evening.