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Vernon Downs Casino is honored to host a special dinner on Thursday, January 26, for soldiers deploying to Kuwait.

Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Racetrack), will provide a Casino Classic Buffet dinner for 200 including members from the Company and their families.

Many of the guests will also be enjoying an overnight stay at the casino, with 92 hotel rooms compliments of Vernon Downs.

According to Mr. Gural, "I believe our soldiers have done an unbelievable job in keeping our country safe after 9/11 and we are happy to host this event in appreciation of the sacrifice these men and women are continuing to make for all of us."

During their time in Kuwait, the Company will be performing a security force mission, rather than a combat mission.

They will proudly be supporting a variety of security missions at various locations within Kuwait.

While deployed, the Company will have a unique opportunity to train in Kuwait, and will participate with other Active, Guard, and International units to perform demanding training at every available opportunity.

Prior to deployment, the soldiers will spend a short period of time in Mississippi training on additional tasks and equipment.

They expect to be away from home for approximately one year.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center, including state of the art Simulcast Room and new casually themed Mr. G’s Food and Spirits restaurant.

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Some significant changes have been made to the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) racing program for 2012.

Replacing the NY Late Closer program is the brand new Excelsior series, which will include the historic New York State Fair events.

For the upcoming season, the NY State Fair will not require a separate payment.

To make your horse eligible for the NY State Fair races you must make the February 15 and April 15 payments for the Excelsior series to the Ag Fund of New York State.

The purse for the State Fair races will be $12,000 plus entry fees ($100) and also afford those racing in the events the opportunity to earn points toward the $45,000est. Excelsior series finals.

The NY State Fair for three-year-old trotters will be raced at Vernon Downs on Friday, May 25 serving as a prep for the 2012 Empire Breeders Classic trots to be raced the next two weeks.

The three-year-old pacers will race at Tioga Downs on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

The two-year-olds will race at Vernon on August 24 & 25 as part of an exciting weekend featuring the new format $700,000E Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial events and the $50,000 Drivers' Championship on Sunday, August 26.

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Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs have finalized their 2012 race and stakes schedule for the upcoming race season (pending regulatory approval).

Tioga Downs will hold 61 live racing days in 2012, set to begin on Saturday, May 5th (Kentucky Derby Day) in Nichols, New York.

Highlighting the 2012 stakes calendar at Tioga Downs is the $200,000 estimated Artiscape Pace for open mare pacers and the $200,000 estimated Bettor's Delight Open Pace.

Both races are scheduled for Sunday, June 10.

Tioga Downs will once again host the first leg of Pacing's Triple Crown, the Cane Pace, with eliminations on Sunday, August 26th and the final on Monday, September 3rd.

The Empire Breeders' Classic for 3-year-old New York bred pacers will be held later in the year, as in years past, with eliminations on Sunday, August 5th, and the $250,000 estimated finals being held a week later on Sunday, August 12th.

Other marquee events held at Tioga Downs in 2012 will include: Tompkins-Geers, a leg of the Miss Versatility, The Shady Daisy, and the Historic Stakes.

Vernon Downs will kick off its 2012 race season on Friday, April 27th to open up its 90-day race meet from April 27th through November 3rd.

Vernon Downs will be the 2012 host of American Racing and Entertainment's marquee event, the $50,000 Drivers' Championship, which has been held at Tioga Downs since it inception in 2007.
The Drivers' Championship will share the spotlight at Vernon Downs with the $700,000 estimated Zweig Memorial Trot, on Sunday, August 26th.

The $200,000 estimated Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot and $200,000 estimated Credit Winner Open Trot will also return to Vernon Downs in 2012 on Friday, September 7th.

The $500,000 estimated Empire Breeders' Classic for New York bred trotters will headline the month of June at Vernon Downs, with the eliminations on Friday, June 1st and the $250,000 estimated finals a week later on Friday, June 8th.

Also scattered around the 2012 stakes schedule at Vernon Downs is the Historic Stakes along with legs and the final of the $175,000 Kindergarten Classic.

"We pride ourselves at Tioga & Vernon on the racing product and promotions we offer our fans during the summer months in upstate New York, and look forward to what we hope will be the best year yet for Tioga and Vernon Downs," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast.

For more information on Tioga Downs or Vernon Downs, please visit us online at www.tiogadowns.com and www.vernondowns.com.

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The Dr. Harry M. Zweig Memorial for three-year-old trotters will undergo several important changes for this year's edition.

The conditions for the race have been revised from split divisions to a format that puts the top nine money winners for 2012 into the main event with a consolation for the next nine that enter.

The same formula will be used for the Zweig Filly trot.

This allows the purse for the main open event to be estimated at $400,000 and the main filly race at $170,000.

The consolation purses are $80,000 Estimated for the open and $40,000 Estimated for the fillies.

To facilitate the large purse increase, the payments have been raised and the added money has been doubled from previous years to a minimum of $150,000.

The 2012 races have been moved to Vernon Downs 7/8's mile oval, generally regarded as one of the very finest racing surfaces in the game.

The Zweig Memorial will be featured on a special Sunday, August 26 matinee card that will include the $50,000 annual Drivers' Challenge.

The scheduling of the race will allow the cream of the crop to come to Vernon for the Zweig one week after the Colonial and then have an important open week before the Canadian Trotting Classic elims.

The New York State Fair events for two-year-olds will be raced on Friday and Saturday of Zweig weekend, creating a showcase of the finest our sport has to offer.

"We are trying to recreate the fun weekend we all had when the Zweig was raced at the State Fairgrounds along with other New York sire stake races," said American Racing Chairman Jeff Gural. "Having our hotel on site with its many recent improvements along with the new format for the Zweig and the always exciting Drivers' Championship, we are hoping that we will have a big turnout."

The cooperation of the Harness Horse Breeders of New York and Mrs. Anne Zweig were integral to executing the improvements in the Zweig Memorial.

The first sustaining payment for the 2012 races comes due by February 15.

Hambletonian winner Broad Bahn won a division of the Zweig Memorial last year when the event was raced at Tioga Downs.

Nomination forms and conditions are available at the HHBNYS web site.

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American Racing and Entertainment, which operates two Racetracks and Casinos in upstate New York, showed impressive gains in numbers in 2011 at both Vernon Downs and Tioga Downs.

Vernon Downs posted strong increases in business in 2011 with casino credits played at the upstate casino increasing 14.1% ($64 million) over 2010, with net revenue for the casino posting a 2.6% increase in business, good for $1.1 million dollars.

The Food and Beverage department also posted strong gains in 2011, increasing business 18.3% over 2010.

Vernon Downs also had traffic at the property increase sharply during 2011, with attendance being up 11.6% over 2010.

Vernon Downs' significant increases in casino play were helped with the addition of the tax-exempt free play program that began in April 2011.

Also driving business in 2011 for Vernon Downs was the opening of the $8.9 million dollar hotel expansion that included a multi-purpose convention space for concerts, weddings, catering, and receptions, along with a new state-of-the-art simulcasting facility, and the luxurious Mr. G's Food and Spirits restaurant.

Tioga Downs also posted a 9.8% increase in casino credits played ($66.5 million) for 2011 when compared to 2010, with net revenue for the casino up 7.5% or $4 million dollars.

The food and beverage numbers at Tioga Downs also saw a large increase, due in part to a $5 buffet promotion it held the last quarter of the year.

The Food and Beverage number closed out 2011 with a 7.7% increase.

The Tioga Downs gift shop showed the largest increase in business in 2011 with a 92.7% increase over 2010.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events. The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center. It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

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In these difficult economic times, everybody is looking for a good value, and Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is ready to help.

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Champions Buffet at Vernon Downs is offering its "Lincoln's Winkin' $5 Buffet" for Lunch and Dinner. This is a substantial discount over the regular price of $10.99 for lunch and $13.99 for dinner on these days.

According to Jeff Gural, owner of Vernon Downs, "We realize that times are tough, and we felt dropping our buffet prices in Champions (inside the casino,) as well as prices in Mr. G's Restaurant (just steps away from the gaming floor in the new event Center,) would be a helpful gesture to our patrons, as well as a way to thank them for their continued support."

The "Lincoln's Winkin' $5 Buffet" is currently scheduled to continue Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday through the month of March. Patrons must be a Your Club member to receive the discount.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events.

The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a newly expanded Events Center.

It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

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With 2011 winding down, we decided to look back at the 58th season of racing at Vernon Downs and select our top 5 races of the year.

#5 New York Sire Stakes - July 9th
She was the darling of the summer and See You at Peelers brought her gaudy winning streak to Central New York in early July. Fresh off her wins in Canada, See You at Peelers moved to the front around the first turn and never looked back, pacing under the wire in a track record time of 1:51.1 with driver Marcus Johansson. It was her 19th straight win and her second track record at Vernon Downs.


#4 Muscle Hill Open Mare Trot - September 2nd
Labor Day weekend kicked off with the biggest night of racing on the Vernon Downs calendar. The co-main event featured North America's fastest trotting mares and the ladies did not disappoint. The field included multiple divisional champion Buck I St Pat, track record holder Autumn Escapade and defending race champion Yursa Hanover. But a new star was fastest when Action-Broadway trotted fastest to win in 1:54.2 with Vernon native Brian Sears in the sulky. Action-Broadway was voted a Dan Patch divisional award winner.


#3 Turn Back the Clock Rewind Races - November 5th
When the calendar reached November, the clocks were turned back an hour and so were the races at Vernon Downs. For the first time in track history, two races were conducted in the opposite direction. Race Secretary and track announcer Scott Warren dubbed the two races, one trot and one pace, the Turn Back the Clock Rewind Races. Both events were conducted at 7/8 mile. Famous Image and Mike Eaton were victorious in the trot while Brian Connor and Noble Wabbit took the pace.


#2 Empire Breeders Classic Final - May 30th
The colt trotters stepped out on the track on Memorial Day chasing a big payday. Dejarmbro finished 2011 with more than $900,000 in earnings, but he was upset in the final stride by the late Whatever It Takes in a thrilling renewal of the EBC.


#1 Credit Winner Open Trot - September 2nd
San Pail was nearly flawless in 2011, winning 14 times from 16 starts with earnings of more than $1.2 million. One of his 14 wins came at Vernon Downs when he got past Lucky Jim in the shadow of the wire to win the Credit Winner in an all-time track record time of 1:51.1. Randy Waples traveled in from Canada for his regular seat behind San Pail, who has been named the top aged trotter and is the favorite to take down Horse of the Year honors. For now, his performance in the Credit Winner is good for our top race of 2011.

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Vernon Downs today announced they have donated $2,500 worth of toys to Toys For Tots.

Every Monday in December, guests were able to donate points they accrued from their gaming activities.

Together, Vernon Downs and their guests were able to fill a truck full of toys which were presented days before Christmas to representatives of the Marines and the Syracuse Branch of Toys For Tots.

Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is open year-round with video gaming machines, simulcast horse racing, a live harness racing season, restaurants, a sports bar and special entertainment events.

The property employs almost 300 people, offers an all-suites hotel and a recently expanded Events Center.

It is located near Routes 5 and 31 in Vernon, NY.

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Vernon Downs recently concluded its 58th season of live racing with impressive increases in wagering handle, bucking nationwide trends.

Live on-track handle increased 4% over 2010 while export handle went up a staggering 35%.

"We're very pleased with the successful 2011 meet and would like to thank our customers and horsemen for their support throughout the year," said Jason M. Settlemoir, Regional Vice President of Racing and Simulcast. "Our substantial increase in live and export handle shows the continued growth of a quality racing product that has been well-received both on track and throughout North American simulcast facilities and advanced deposit wagering platforms."

Racing Secretary Scott Warren was instrumental in putting together full, competitive races throughout the 90-day season, his first at the Central New York oval.

An all-time track record performance by San Pail in the $218,000 Credit Winner Open Trot topped the list of impressive stakes performances during the meet.

The 7-year-old, likely Horse of the Year, posted a 1:51.1 win over former champion Lucky Jim for co-owner/trainer Rodney Hughes and partner Glenn Van Camp.

Other stakes highlights of the season included a track record win by See You At Peelers, her 19th straight win during her much celebrated 22-race winning streak.

Kenneth Sommer's Action-Broadway won the meet's premier mare trot, the Muscle Hill, in 1:54.2.

Gym Tan Laundry broke the track record for 2-year-old gelding trotters with his 1:55.3 score in the $200,500 Kindergarten Classic for the Adam Victor & Son Stable and Lady Andi took the $182,500 filly division in 1:57.3 for trainer Larry Rathbone.

Racing returns to Vernon Downs in April 2012, pending regulatory approval.
For more information on Vernon Downs, visit their website at www.vernondowns.com.

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Driver Standings:
1. Jimmy Whittemore 108 wins
2. Rick Plano 81 wins
3. Frank Milby 78 wins
4. Chris Lems 67 wins
5. Claude Huckabone, III 43 wins
6. Howard Okusko, Jr 38 wins
6. Roman Lopez 38 wins
8. Frank Davis 35 wins
9. Jack Rice 32 wins
10. Brian Connor 31 wins
10. Leon Bailey 31 wins


Trainer Standings:
1. Tracy Brainard 56 wins
2. Rick Plano 49 wins
3. Jessica Okusko 35 wins
4. Dave Dewhurst 33 wins
5. Roman Lopez 29 wins
6. Dennis Whittemore 28 wins
7. Dan Daley 25 wins

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The fleet-footed pacer Western Tsunami wired five feisty foes in 1:51.3 to capture the $10,000 featured eighth event as Vernon Downs closed out its 58th live harness racing season on Saturday night (Nov. 19).

With Brandon Simpson sulky-sitting for trainer Tracy Brainard in the 90-card meeting's final Open contest, Western Tsunami ($7.00) sped through splits of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:23.4 en route to a three-quarter length decision over Restless Yankee.

Saturday's score was the first at the Downs this year, the fourth in 2011 and 39th all-time for the 8-year-old son of Western Hanover-Ron's Girl, who is shared in ownership by Brainard and her partner Andrew Herzog.

The win pushed the gritty gelding's lifetime earnings to more than $307,800.

Former provisional driving champion Leon Bailey earned three victories during Saturday's card, while drivers Simpson, Brian Connor and trainer Brainard were each credited with a pair of first-place finishes.

During Saturday's 10-race card, former track driving champions John Stark, Jr. and the late Gary Gibson were inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association's Hall of Fame for 2011.
Jason Settlemoir, vice-president of racing and simulcasting for both Vernon and its sister track, Tioga Downs, and a 2011 UNYC Hall of Fame inductee himself, presented championship checks to the meet's leading driver, Jimmy Whittemore (108 wins), and trainer, Brainard (56 victories).

Also recognized during the program was Track Superintendent Tony Rossi, whose well-manicured seven-eighths-mile oval yielded 1,079 miles in 2:00 for faster during the April 15 to Nov. 19 campaign, including the fastest trotting mile in the track's history, a 1:51.1 effort by San Pail on Sept. 2.

The Vernon all-time 1:49.4 pacing standard was equaled for the third time in 2011 by Go Go Solano on Nov. 12.

A total of 15 track records were set or equaled during the seven-month meeting.

The pacer Hay Goodlooking was the winningest equine of 2011 locally with eight wins, while DL Cruiser and Enlightened tied as the top race-winning trotters with seven scores each.

"We had a very good race meeting this year at the Downs," said Settlemoir during the program. "I'd like to thank all of our customers and the horsemen who support us and the great sport of harness racing year after year in central New York. We look forward to another live meeting starting in mid-April next year, pending regulatory approval."

DOWNS DOINGS - Settlemoir also wished the track's fans and horsemen a happy and healthy holiday season... Truman Gale emerged as Vernon's top provisional driver for 2011 with 20 triumphs... All of the track's simulcasting during the off-season (afternoons and evenings) will be conducted in Vernon's hotel simulcasting center... A fireworks display was conducted after the evening's 10th race... Additional information regarding the track, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

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Mr. Avalanche brushed by the favorite Scorpion Moon in late stretch to win Friday night's $10,000 featured ninth race at Vernon Downs.

With Chris Lems handling the lines for trainer Paul Drante, Jr., Mr. Avalanche ($10.80) drafted along in the pocket behind the mile-cutting, crowd choice Scorpion Moon until the final furlong, and then scurried to the front to win the week's Open trot by a neck in 1:57.

Friday's first-place finish was the fourth at the Downs this season, the seventh in 2011 and the 12th all-time for the 5-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Epoque Effe.

Jeremy Godfrey owns the career-winner of $65,274.

The win was one of four during Friday's 12-race card for Lems, currently fourth on the meet's driving chart with 67 tallies.

The 24-year-old reinsman captured the Early Double with the pacer On That Note and trotter Brilliant Thunder, and then won the fourth event with the trotter Rhythmic Moves before earning his initial four-bagger of Vernon's current campaign.

DL Cruiser (1:59.1) and Enlightened (1:59) each tied at seven for most trotting victories at the meet after finishing first in the evening's eighth and 12th races, respectfully.

The eight-time winning pacer Hay Goodlooking is tops in equine scores with one program remaining in the track's 58th season.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional drivers Truman Gale, Josh Kinney and Michael Miller posted their 20th, eighth and sixth wins, respectively, during Friday's program... The Downs will conclude its 2011 live-racing season with tomorrow night's 10- race card that includes the week's $10,000 Open pace in race eight. First post will be at 6:55 p.m. Former Downs driving champions John Stark, Jr. and the late Gary Gibson will be inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the U. S. Harness Writers Association's Hall of Fame during Saturday's program. The harness track's 90-card campaign will end with a fireworks display following the evening's last race... Additional information regarding the track, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

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Vernon Downs is set to kick off its final weekend of live racing action this weekend beginning on Friday night with a 12-race card at 6:55 pm.

The 90-day race meet then concludes on Saturday night with 10 races beginning at 6:55 pm, followed by a fireworks display immediately following live racing.

"We have had a very good race meet this year at Vernon Downs and would like to thank all of our customers who support us year after year in the Vernon area," said Jason M. Settlemoir, VP of Racing and Simulcast. "We look forward to another great race season in 2012, and would like to wish all of our customers and horsemen a happy and healthy holiday season."

Saturday night's 10-race card will feature a six horse $10,000 Open pace led by Up Front Tim T from the Mark Ford Stable.

Coming off of two recent starts in the $75,000 claiming ranks, Up Front Tim T sports a record of six wins in 28 seasonal outings good for earnings of more than $106,000.

Vernon Downs leading reinsman, Jimmy Whittemore, will do the driving from post position number one.

For more information on Vernon Downs please visit us online at www.vernondowns.com.

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Go Go Solano tied the all-time track pacing standard at Vernon Downs with a blistering 1:49.4 performance on a clear, but chilly Saturday evening (Nov. 12).

A 1:51 winner here at age three, Go Go Solano was assigned the outside eight post by racing secretary Scott Warren for Saturday's $10,000 Open contest.

With Greg Merton doing the teaming for trainer Jordan Rubin in race eight, the favorite Go Go Solano ($3.40) battled with Mystical Valentine for the lead past a :27-second opening quarter, took command going to the half (timed in :55.2), drew off past the third split in 1:22.4, and then tossed in a :27-second closing kicker to win by 7-3/4 lengths.

The sizzling showing tied Vernon's 58-year-old pacing standard that was set by My Little Dragon in 2008 and equaled by Stonebridge Wish in 2010.

In addition to dropping his personal best time by 1-1/5 seconds, the fast paced mile tied the track's aged pacing standard that Stonebridge Wish established on June 5th of last year.

It also marked the 16th track record performance of the season at the central New York 7/8ths-mile oval.

In addition to being his first Vernon score of 2011, it was the fifth season's victory and 14th lifetime win for the 5-year-old son of Bettor's Delight-Real Excitement, who is owned by Richard Lombardo and Howard Taylor.

The rapid-striding gelding increased his career earnings to $609,605.

Go Go Solano's effort was one of four first-place finishes during Saturday's 11-race card for driver Merton, who also captured the seventh race with the pacer You Bet Your Glass, the ninth event with the pacer One More Day and the final contest with the pacer Spartacus Jim.

Driver Roman Lopez and trainer Arnie Marks were also credited with doubles during the track's 88th program.

DOWNS DOINGS - Provisional driver Chris McCracken earned his fourth win at the meet following a gate-to-wire effort behind Bill McCracken's trotter Crestwood Katch Me in race six... Only two more live racing programs remain in Vernon's 58th season... The Downs will offer live racing again next Friday and Saturday, ending its 90-card campaign on Nov. 19 with a spectacular fireworks display. First post each evening will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.

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The veteran trotter Scorpion Moon earned his 79th career victory with a 2:00 triumph in Friday night's $8,000 featured eighth race at Vernon Downs.

Claude Huckabone, III did the teaming for trainer Tracy Brainard as the favorite Scorpion Moon ($5.30) rallied from last at the half to fifth at the ¾-mile marker.

Competing over a track rated "good" due to persistent snow and rain, the 10-year-old gelding closed from second in the stretch to catch and pass the pace-setting fourth wagering choice, Unshakeable, by one length at the finish.

Friday's tight tally was the third this season (all at the Downs) for the son of Armbro Scorpion-Angie's Nugget, who is shared in ownership by Brainard and Andrew Herzog.

The gritty bay battler is currently a career winner of more than $867,500.

Two-time defending driving champion Jimmy Whittemore delivered his ninth triple of the 87-program meeting, while top trainer Brainard, along with owner Herzog, scored twice during Friday's 10-race card.

Huckabone, III and Joe Nassimos also posted twin driving victories.

DOWNS DOINGS - With three programs remaining in the track's 58th season, Whittemore has 107 driving victories, while Brainard, seeking her second conditioning crown in a row and third overall, has 54 first-place credits... Top provision driver Truman Gale hiked his win total at the meet to 19 after a score behind Greg Robinson's trotter Enlightened in Friday's second race. The victory tied the 9-year-old gelding with Canouan and DL Cruiser at six for most local trotting tallies thus far in 2011... Tomorrow night's 11-race line-up, which includes the week's $10,000 Open pace in race eight, will begin at 6:55 p.m... Vernon will offer live racing on Friday and Saturday next weekend, ending its 90-card campaign on Nov. 19. First post each night will be at 6:55... Additional information regarding the track's 2011 season, its casino and newly-renovated hotel can be obtained at www.vernondowns.com, and on Facebook.