Vernon Downs to Open April 11th

[LottaKash]

Originally Posted by LAP_520

Vernon Downs was the harness track I visited quite alot in the Summer and Fall of 1969. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights ,,, dinner and the races

I have many memories of winnin and losin at the downs, as well...1969 as well,,,maybe I saw you there and didn't even know it....

I always loved the view of the green pasture as the backdrop to the backstretch....Good country to spend time in...I use to stay at a cheap motel at Sylvan Beach on Lake Oneida... Miss the trips up there...

I was up there a couple of years ago visiting an old friend, we went to VD, and found that it hadn't changed all that much thru the years....The Casino at the Turning Stone was kind to me as well....Won a $500 JP on the slotz....

I remember the 1/4-mile straightway from the start line, at the old 3/4 mile configuration...Jack Rabbit starts back then...

I play there online now....I didn't play there for awhile after they changed the config to a 1-miler from the former 3/4's, but the past several years, I finally got a handle on the ole-place, and fared much better than in previous years, as a result...

the end:

[cecil127]

Originally Posted by LottaKash

I remember the 1/4-mile straightway from the start line, at the old 3/4 mile configuration...Jack Rabbit starts back then...

ah yes, the Chute! wish they still started that way...could be their lil "niche"

iv patronized the casino once: pulled my sled up for valet parking in a snowstorm only to find out they didn't have table games....
right back to simulcast I went

oh wait, they have "dollar dog" day in the casino or something good/cheap so I walked through a few times but couldn't fathom playing a one armed bandit while I (thought) had a decent shot interpreting the program pages.

don't care for the way the casino is over there with no view of the track whatsoever either.....ew, but that bar over there gets hoping once the races cease.

CANT WAIT!

[Just a Fan]

I was there the night that the lights went out on NYSS finals night a few years ago. The lights on the racetrack never did come all the way back on.

I remember them coming out of the chute on the old 3/4 mile track - they had to negotiate the banking of the main 3/4 mile oval when they came out of the chute.

Michael Chamberlain revealed in his interview with Jason Beem that he will be calling the races at VD this summer. He's a heck of an announcer, but I have never heard him call a harness race. Anyone who has watched any racing from Vernon over the past 5 years (or 20 years, for that matter) will appreciate hearing a new voice.

[showbet]

Originally Posted by Just a Fan

Michael Chamberlain revealed in his interview with Jason Beem that he will be calling the races at VD this summer...Anyone who has watched any racing from Vernon over the past 5 years (or 20 years, for that matter) will appreciate hearing a new voice.

I did a double take when I read that Jim Moran, who has called the races at Vernon since 1964, will no longer be the announcer there. I can find no story about this change, other than the interview of Mr. Chamberlain conducted by Jason Beem.

I do look forward to hearing a new voice at Vernon Downs.

[cecil127]

Originally Posted by Just a Fan

Anyone who has watched any racing from Vernon over the past 5 years (or 20 years, for that matter) will appreciate hearing a new voice.

ILL (SO) DRINK TO THAT!!!!!!

like I said: BIG THINGS COMING OPENING DAY!!!






*and that's not all

[cecil127]

1 month, 2 days and 7 hours til SHOWTIME!!!! (127!)

BE THERE!

I WILL!

[cecil127]

with all the pm activity of peeps saying they're attending ill throw this one out there: should I bring the grill for a tailgate party?

it'll be a HOOT!

[harness2008]

I have never seen a tailgate party in the parking lot of Vernon Downs in all of the years that I have been going there but what a great idea. The way its going you may be grilling with snowflakes in the air in four weeks.

[cecil127]

I hear ya Harness2008-im anticipating a postponement for the start of racing at Vernon Downs.
this winter just doesn't want to give up.
however, I have two extra sleds if anyone wants to hit the trails that weekend should they cancel the opener

[lamboguy]

i just heard that Michael Chamberlain is the new voice of Vernon Downs.

he is one of the top announcer's in the game, and we certainly are blessed with plenty of great race callers.

[cecil127]

yup, its official....couldn't say when I had found out but now that the cat's outta the bag:

enjoy the read

usta article

[cecil127]

piling probably a foot plus of snow over the next day on the tracks (already saturated) surface imo theres no way on gods green earth (pun intended) they start on time this year....

but there will be racing at VD and when it starts ill be there at the finish line to kick it off

safety first

[harness2008]

This latest storm in all liklihood will be the last of the big storms to hit this area. I'm saying this while knocking on wood and crossing my fingers though. It will be interesting to see what the track looks like especially if we don't get many nice sunny warmer days by April 11th. It's a month away and you would think that it will at least start getting a bit warmer as opening night approaches but then again it is central New York. Here's hoping for a warm up in the weather and things to go on as scheduled.

[cecil127]

id think they need at least a month to tune it up.....if it was 60* from 4/1 til opening night it'd still be a major undertaking.

who remembers the ice storm in april that closed the city of Oswego a few years back? that was interesting

[cecil127]

throw another couple inches on top of the slop that's already there today and you've got a perfect recipe for a "warm & clear" opening day at VD....

Warm by the fireplace and

Clear up to your @$$