by Dustin Ross, Regional Racing Operations Manager, Vernon Downs

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs is gearing up for the State Fair weekend (August 24–26) featuring the 2-year-old New York bred races, the $700,000 (est.) Zweig Memorial Trot, and the sixth annual $50,000 Drivers’ Championship.

Vernon will be putting on a carnival like atmosphere at the track all weekend long, holding owner barbeques, a Sunday morning brunch, and a free horsemen’s golf outing.

The State Fair weekend kicks off on Friday (August 24) with the 2-year-old filly trotters and pacers with a post time of 6:55 p.m. There will be an owner’s barbeque in Founders Park beginning at 5 p.m. before the races and lasts until post time.

On Saturday (August 25), Vernon Downs will be hosting a free golf outing for all horsemen and owners in the morning (planned tee time is 9 a.m.). The tournament will be held at Rome Country Club and will be a four person captain and crew format tournament. Another barbeque will be held on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. leading up to the 6:55 p.m. post for the 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers and trotters taking center stage in the State Fair races.

The weekend is capped off with the $700,000 (est.) Zweig Memorial Trot for 3-year-old trotters and the $50,000 Drivers’ Championship on Sunday (August 26) with a 1:15 p.m. post time. There will be a horsemen’s brunch held on Sunday morning beginning at 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the rooftop terrace which is located on the third floor of the Vernon Downs Hotel.

The Drivers’ Championship, which has been a huge hit at Tioga Downs in past years, will be relocated to Vernon for 2012, along with our annual bobblehead giveaway featuring last year’s champion, Jody Jamieson. As always, bobbleheads will be given away before the races, along with commemorative t-shirts (while supplies last), and the drivers participating in the Championship will be on hand for an autograph session and driver meet and greet beginning at 11:45 a.m. on the trackside apron.

Nick Vanderwood, who has sung the national anthem at the Boston Celtics game, will be on hand and will be singing the national anthem on Sunday afternoon at Vernon Downs.

The horses that finish sixth through ninth in the Drivers’ Championship events will each receive $100 for their participation in the event from the HHA of CNY.

Hotel rooms are available at Vernon Downs for the State Fair celebration and all reservations and golf sign-ups can be directed to Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast, at 607.699.7588 or jsettlemoir@tiogadowns.com. Reservations for hotel accommodations and reservations for golf must be made to Settlemoir by August 23.

For more information on Vernon Downs visit www.vernondowns.com.