Vernon Down's To Host Racing Under Saddle

Race Date: Friday, Aug. 25      (Race will be held after the first race)                               

Race Office Direct Line: 315-829-6825 

Entry by:    DECLARE BY 9:00AM TUESDAY,  AUG. 22, 2017

                                                                 

Purse: $3,000 to be distributed evenly per NY State Law 

Starters: Will not be raced with less than 5 entries. Up to 9 Starters will be eligible. If there are more than 9 entries, horses that have gone behind the gate with more than one other horse proving to stay flat the most in RUS events in 2017 will get preference. After that, horses will be drawn by date of when last raced rather it be in harness or RUS. 

Conditions: RUS Trot (NW of $2,000 L5 harness starts in 2017 with a 6,000 P/C L/S at any parimutuel track)

Track: Vernon Downs 4229 Stuhlman Road Vernon, New York 13476

Rider requirements:

1. Must hold a current active RUS license with the USTA. 
2. Must have at least 2 charted lines (staying flat with one being in the time needed to race) in the 2017 season. 
3. Must participate in at least 2 fundraisers with a minimum of $200 raised or get $200 in sponsors
4. Will be expected to have all proper forms filled out and be prepared to blow a breathalyzer. 
5. Must have proper colors, helmet, boots and safety vest. 

Horse Requirements: Any horse that has qualified or showed a RUS charted line in 2:14 on a half mile track or larger may enter. Horses showing a RUS qualifier or charted line faster than 2:01 is not eligible. Horse must show a RUS qualifier in the 2017 season and not show two consecutive breaks at a pari-mutual track. 

Fair Series Nearing Finals

There is just one more race left in the RUS New York 2017 Fair Series.

The Tuesday, Aug. 22 race in Tompkins County Fair in Trumansburg will mark the final opportunity for eligibility into the championship race. The final will be held along with the harness fair final races at Saratoga Casino and Hotel on Friday, Sept. 15. Each horse that finishes in the final will earn $600. Prizes will also be awarded to the winning horse and high point rider for the season. 

The series included nine legs held at different fairs across the state. Points earned along the way  determine final entries. Horses need at least three starts to be eligible. 

Standings: 

"Promoting Racing Under Saddle and the versatility of the Standardbred breed."

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* Railroad Lane -175

* Iron Will-112 ​

* R George-107

* One True Friend -100 

 Admirable Hanover-75 

Boy Can She Fly- 62

Mr. Avalanche -37

Those with a * next to their name have the required number of races to enter the final. ​

The High Point Rider Award will be presented to the rider who has earned the most points, regardless of horse(s) ridden throughout the series. Riders must participate in at least three races to qualify. 

Standings: 

*Michelle Miller-233

* Vanessa Karlewicz- 137

* Heather Reese -112

* Hillary Hartnett-100

* Kara Duh-62

Codie Smith- 24 

Those with a * at the end of their name have ridden in 3 races to qualify for the award. 

RUS is yet to be self sufficient in the United States particularly because of legislation that prohibits wagering. Hopefully one day that will change. But until then, finding sponsors and ways to fundraise has been the biggest challenge going forward. RUS NY could not host races without the help of our sponsors. 

Click here for a link to sponsors - most logos are linked to a website or Facebook page.