Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs is set to begin its 66th year of racing on Friday (April 19) with a post time of 6:10 p.m.

Opening night will feature a t-shirt and schedule magnet giveaway, a live bugler and the popular “That’s My Driver” promotion. Five entries will be randomly selected following race two. All will have a chance to win up to $140. At the conclusion of the evening’s racing, there will be a large fireworks display.

Highlights for the season include “Derby Day” featuring the live showing of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday (May 4) with a special post time of 4:30 p.m. Memorial Day (May 27) features the Empire Breeders Classic finals for both 3-year-old filly trotters and 3-year-old trotting colts. Each final is racing for a purse of $250,000 (est.) with a post time that day of 1:05 p.m. The Zweig Memorial races will take place on Saturday (Aug. 17) featuring the 3-year-old colt trot ($370,000 est.) and 3-year-old filly trot ($150,000 est.).

In 2018 John MacDonald and Jimmy Whittemore landed in a tie for top driver. The two battled back and forth all year before ending with 115 wins each. MacDonald was once again the top trainer at the Miracle Mile with 65 wins. He trained the 2018 Horse of the Year, Kabu. Owned by the J P Stables, Kabu (Valley Victor) won eight of his 18 starts at Vernon Downs in 2018.

Vernon Downs is happy to welcome new race caller Rich Mattei.

The 11-race card for Friday will feature leg one of the Robert E. Keller Trotting Series. Post time is 6:10 p.m.

For more information go to www.vernondowns.com.