SC Rewind: Vernon Downs Reaches Milestone

Rewind: Vernon Downs

In this week's Rewind Robert Smith recalls a very important milestone in harness racing history.  He takes readers back to over 40 years ago when Vernon Downs recorded its 1,000th "Miracle Mile" in the track's history.  He also recalls some early happenings related to the unique Vernon Downs and a bit of its now long history. 

Close to 70 years ago the sport of harness racing literally took on a new dimension.  When Vernon Downs, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Central New York, opened their recently completed track for business everything was brand new — even the size of the track. While trotters and pacers had been competing for centuries, they had nearly always "done their thing" on a half-mile track and in a few rare locations over a mile track.  The architects of the new ultra-modern Vernon Downs thought it was time for a change.  Their track was laid out at a new distance of 3/4 mile. 

Vernon Downs logo

The track logo shown above displayed a profile of the track's unique shape (Harness Horse photo) 

If you were part of the opening day crowd back on July 1, 1953 you might have been a little confused if you had the right place for harness racing.  A quick look at the track showed a six furlong oval with a quarter mile chute.  This seemed like the perfect confirmation for a minor league thoroughbred track, but it was indeed built for harness racing. 

Vernon Downs chute

A view of the Vernon track layout as it appeared back in 1953 just before it opened. The starting chute is at the left (Hoof Beats)



Vernon Downs stable area

The stable area at Vernon at the time of its opening in 1953 (Hoof Beats Photo) 

The theory behind the plan was that it would provide safety and speed, and it did. In 1955 the pacer Adios Harry paced the mile in 1:55, a record that stood for 18 years. For all practical purposes the three-quarter mile track was actually a mile track. In the early years Vernon Downs because of its speed ended up on the Grand Circuit tour and many of the top horses and drivers competed at the oval. 

From its very beginning the Vernon track attracted the top horses and horsepeople from all areas of the country.  In the inaugural season names such as Wayne "Curly" Smart,  Ralph Baldwin, Joe O'Brien, Tom Berry, Frank Ervin, Jimmy Wingfield and many more were regulars at the new track.  During opening week a young lad named Buddy Gilmour, then just 21, won six races in the first four nights to become the first driver to accomplish that feat. He was already driving like a seasoned veteran. 

By the third year of operation Vernon Downs was setting records like never seen before.  One horse in particular seemed to do very well nearly every time he set foot on the track. It almost seemed like Adios Harry set a new record in every appearance. 

Adios Harry

Adios Harry in full flight at Vernon with Luther Lyons driving.  This horse drew national attention to the new Vernon track when he paced a number of very fast miles in  1955.  (Photo courtesy of Rebecca Batson Kidner) 

Milestone Reached In 1980 

Record at Vernon Downs

Ms. Hermi Kinne secretary in the Vernon Downs Publicity Dept. is shown adjusting the sign on the Vernon records board after the track recorded its historic 1,000th "miracle mile" (photo from the Standardbred Record)

After over 25 years of racing had passed, in 1980 Vernon Downs recorded its 1,000th "Miracle Mile."  On the evening of August 16, 1980 a 1:57.2 mile by the pacer J Js Apollo driven by Bill Adams established the historic record.  This horse was trained by Susan Keleti for co-owners The Turf Stable of New York, Geri and Robert Linski of New Jersey and the Kevbro Stable of Florida.  

Somewhat amazing to me was the fact that in the first 1,000 sub 2:00 miles the ratio of pacers to trotters was very lopsided.  From the 1,000 miles, 914 were on the pacing gait while just 86 were trotters.  In 1980 when this milestone was reached the fastest trotting mile in the track's history was held by Speed In Action and driver Delvin Miller at 1:57.  The fastest pacing mile belonged to none other than Niatross who zipped over the three-quarter mile strip in 1:53.3 for part owner Clint Galbraith. 

VERNON DOWNS TRIVIA QUESTION

When Vernon notched their 1,000th sub 2:00 mile in 1980  they became the fourth track in history to achieve that distinction.  Can you name the three tracks that preceded them? 

Closing Note: In 2000 after 47 years of the unique six-furlong track configuration replete with a chute for starting one-mile races in the homestretch, a new 7/8-mile oval was unveiled on July 1 coincidental with the date the track opened in 1953.  (Courtesy of Vernon Downs website)

Shown below are a few old photos related to the history of Vernon Downs, particularly the earlier years.  See if you can answer the questions related to each picture. 

Vernon Downs Trivia

1. Can you name this legendary horse who became rather famous racing at Vernon and later had a bar named after him. 

Vernon Downs trivia



2. These two horses, both with Canadian connections,  are involved in a pretty close finish.   Can you identify the horses and drivers and also name the winner? No further clues offered other than "be careful" when you pick the winner. 

Vernon Downs trivia

3. These two famous drivers were part of the first year racing scene in 1953.  Can you name them both? 

Quote For The Week: In the early days of racing at the Vernon track people marvelled at the speeds that were achieved with regularity. When veteran and colourful Canadian horseman Morrie MacDonald was asked what he thought about all the fast times recorded at the 3/4 mile track he responded: "That track is so fast I could go a 1/4 mile in 30 seconds without a horse." 

Who Is It? 

Who Is It photo question

The above gentleman was a very successful driver at Vernon early in his career.  Can you name him? 

Who Else Is It? 

Who Else Is It photo question

This is an oldie so I will give some clues.  During the first year of racing at Vernon this veteran Canadian owned horse and driver made at least one trip to the winner's circle.   This horse and driver were earlier winners of the Canadian Pacing Derby when it was held at New Hamburg, Ont. but not as a pair. The horse won it with another driver and the driver won this famous race with another horse. The driver's grandson (and namesake) was a longtime official in Ontario racing circles.  (Harness Horse photo) 

Comments

VERNON DOWNS TRIVIA QUESTION - The three tracks that had reached the 1,000 sub 2:00 miles plateau prior to Vernon were Lexington (The Red Mile ), Hollywood Park and The Meadowlands .
Pic 1 -The legendary horse pictured that had a bar named after him at Vernon was Ring Eyed Pete and driver Dareld Maher
Pic 2 - The pictured race ended in a Dead Heat for win between Armbro Nadir (2) (Nelson White ) and Smog (Stanley Dancer ) at Vernon in 1973
Pic 3 - Wayne "Curly" Smart on the left and Delvin Miller .Photo taken during opening season in 1953
Who Is It ? - Correct answer was Glen Garnsey pictured with his wife and daughter (Sorry I don't have their names )
Who Else Is It ? - The horse was The Diplomat winner of the 1949 Can. Pacing Derby (driven by Lew James) and his pictured driver Vic Rowntree who was the grandfather of the late Vic Gould (2011) a long time racing official at many tracks .
Thanks so much ......

On number 2 the Canadian connection would be Armbro Nadir with Nelson White driving owned by Dr. Don Davis of Guelph, Ontario., and Smog owned by A.M. Cuddy Stables Of Strathroy. Not too sure that is Stanley Dancer or Donnie Dancer driving Smog .I know that Vernon Dancer drove him when he won the Cane Pace and I think he trained him too. And I will say he was the winner of that race.
Number 3 is Wayne “Curly“ Smart and Del Miller. Who is it is Glen Garnsey . Who else is it is Vic Rountree.

Since Meadowlands opened up in 72 I will say Meadowlands, Lexington, Garden City and Brandywine. 2. Smog, Stan Dancer, Armbro Nadir,Nelson White. Tom Berry, Del Miller. Who is it Glen Garland Garnsey

Trivia - tracks were, Lexington, the Meadowlands, and (Brandywine?)
1. Ring Eyed Pete or Pocomoonshine - I think they both have a stable named after them at Vernon
2. Smog and Stanley Dancer on the outside
3. Somebody I should know, and Del Miller
Glen Garnsey and family
Fun Factoid - Canny Choice raced in 1:59:3 in 1970 - first 2:00 mile for him, for Dr. John, and the 300th at Vernon.
Great topic, as always, Robert.
This track opened a few months before I was born. I had many good trips visiting there over the years

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