by Dustin Ross, regional racing operations manager, Tioga/Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs has carded ten races for its opening night on Friday, April 17, with a post time of 6:55 p.m.

Race Day t-shirts and 2009 schedule magnets will be passed out to patrons at the door beginning at 6:00 p.m., while supplies last. Immediately following the card will be a fireworks display to celebrate opening night of the 2009 race season.

Vernon Downs will feature a few new wagers to its 2009 wagering format including Pick 3’s beginning on races three and six, along with 50 cent trifectas and 10 cent superfectas.

Highlighting the opening night’s card will be the co-featured $9,000 Open Trot, slated for race number seven of the evening. A total of nine trotters have been drawn into the event led by 4-year-old John Paul’s Legacy, who as a sophomore banked over $100,000 in seasonal earnings. Angus MacDonald trains and drives the Credit Winner–Amore Vita trotter for Emil Benvenuto.

The $9,000 co-featured Fillies and Mares Open Pace will follow the Open Trot and is slated for race number eight. Howard Okusko Jr. will send out another 4-year-old for her seasonal debut with Bet The Ranch, who earned over $55,000 in her sophomore campaign.

Vernon will also be going to the post at 6:55 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

For more information on Vernon Downs go to www.vernondowns.com.