by Dustin Ross, for Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — The 2007 Artiscape field at Vernon Downs has been set with six of the top older pacing mares in North America. Eliminations were not necessary, so all entrants will move on to the $124,000 final on Thursday, August 16, at the historic track in Vernon, N.Y.

Headlining the Artiscape is world record holder My Little Dragon, who carries a mark of 1:48.1 with earnings of more than $1.4 million. In her last outing, the 4-year-old Dragon Again mare was sent first over in the $212,000 Golden Girls at The Meadowlands and paced in 1:49.4, but could do no better than fourth.

The 2007 Golden Girls champion Armbro Dancer will also be one of the half dozen entries for the Artiscape. Trained by Jimmy Takter, the 4-year-old daughter of Blissfull Hall won her last start in 1:49.3, which equaled her lifetime mark. Armbro Dancer has won 16 of her 29 career starts for earnings of more than $700,000.

Darlin’s Delight will be the lone New York bred in the Artiscape for trainer Jeffrey Stafford. The 4-year-old Bettor’s Delight mare has won 22 of 38 career starts for earnings of more than $1.8 million. She captured the final of the 2007 Lady Liberty at The Meadowlands in a new lifetime best of 1:49.1 on June 1.

Rounding out the field for the $124,000 Artiscape Pace are Ideal Weather, Bolero Toki, and Double Dream N.

Also on the card for Thursday, August 16, is the $150,000 (est.) Credit Winner Trot. Some of the top names eligible to the event are Vivid Photo, Majestic Son, Make You Mine, and hometown trotter RC Royalty. Entries for the Credit Winner Trot are due into the Vernon Downs race office by Saturday, August 12, at 9:00 a.m.

Tioga Downs is gearing up for the $300,000 Zweig Memorial Trot, their signature event, on Sunday, August 19, in Nichols, New York.

For more information on all the events coming up at both tracks in August please visit our Web sites at www.vernondowns.com and www.tiogadowns.com.