LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Vernon
Downs

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay trib-
ute to those establishments whose commitment and creative talents
contribute to recreational American tradition and the entertainment of
their community and the entire State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to commem-
orate the 60th Anniversary of Vernon Downs, to be celebrated on Satur-
day, June 29, 2013; and
WHEREAS, 60 years ago, harness racing debuted at Vernon Downs on a
revolutionary six-furlong oval; the first race on opening night, July 1,
1953, was won by a horse named Bob Abbe II who paid $38.60 to win on a
$2.00 wager; and
WHEREAS, The track featured 24 barns, each with 24 stalls and beauti-
ful natural backdrop of hills and sprawling countryside; over the years,
Vernon Downs has been host to some of the biggest stars of the sport,
including Adios Harry, Niatross and Moni Maker; and
WHEREAS, In July of 1964, Bret Hanover, the most popular horse to ever
race at Vernon Downs, set a track mile record of one minute 57.2 seconds
before a crowd of 14,000 people; the current record is one minute 48
seconds, and was set by He's Gorgeous on May 19, 2012; and
WHEREAS, New York City businessman and harness racing enthusiast, Jeff
Gural purchased the track in 2006, bringing a new, prosperous era of
racing to Central New York; and
WHEREAS, With a track surface of 7/8 mile, the largest in New York
State, Vernon Downs has become home to some of the sport's premier
races, including the Credit Winner, Muscle Hill and Zweig Memorial; and
WHEREAS, Announcer, Jim Moran is the one person who has been a
constant at Vernon Downs for the last half century; for 51 years, he has
had a birds-eye view of the action, and is respectfully known as the
voice of Vernon Downs; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when establish-
ments of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Vernon Downs; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vernon Downs.