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

Vernon, NY — Vernon Downs will host its 2009 National Harness Handicapping Contest qualifying event this Saturday, March 28.

The format for the handicapping championship will be the first five races from The Meadowlands and races six through ten from Yonkers Raceway. First place for the championship will receive entry into the National Harness Handicapping Championship, hotel accommodations, and fuel reimbursement. Second place will receive a $200 betting voucher, and the third place finisher will receive a $100 betting voucher. Contestants will be asked to simply pick the winner of each of the ten races for that night. In the case of a tie, the winner will be based off of a $2 win payoff for all of their winners that evening.

As of Thursday, March 26, more than 130 contestants had signed up to take their shot at Vernon Downs on Saturday night. It is not too late to sign up for Saturday’s event and you can do so by calling Patrick Coleman at (607) 699-7691.

Tioga Downs will be in the spotlight for its event on Saturday, April 4, and the same rules will apply as at Vernon Downs. Sign ups are also being taken for Tioga’s contst through Patrick Coleman, Regional Racing Marketing Manager.

Vernon Downs will officially kick off the 2009 season on Friday, April 17, with live harness racing at 6:55 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks display to cap off the evening.