The Mohawk Valley

Vernon Downs

Harness
Find the official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Vernon Downs is a harness racetrack in Vernon, New York. It opened in 1953, making it 73 years old in 2026. It races on a 7/8-mile harness oval.

Adios Harry paced a 1:55 mile there in 1955, a world record that stood for 18 years.

Track facts

Location
Vernon, New York
Racing
Harness
Track
7/8-mile harness oval
Opened
1953
Racing season
Mid-April to mid-November
Operator
American Racing and Entertainment, LLC (Jeff Gural)

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs mid-April to mid-November. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows the Mohawk Valley in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Vernon Downs and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Vernon Downs

Hotels near Vernon DownsBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Vernon DownsTours & things to do in VernonSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Vernon Downs10

  1. 1HarnessTioga Downs — Harness racing (Nichols, New York)85 mi
  2. 2HarnessSaratoga Casino Hotel (Saratoga Harness) — Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace (Saratoga Springs, New York)89 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredSaratoga Race Course — Travers Stakes (Saratoga Springs, New York)89 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredFinger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack — New York Derby (Farmington, New York)92 mi
  5. 5HarnessMonticello Raceway — Harness racing (Monticello, New York)105 mi
  6. 6HarnessMohegan Pennsylvania (Pocono Downs) — Harness racing (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)125 mi
  7. 7HarnessBatavia Downs — Robert J. Kane Memorial Pace (Batavia, New York)135 mi
  8. 8HarnessKawartha Downs — Harness racing (Fraserville, Ontario)163 mi
  9. 9HarnessBuffalo Raceway — Harness racing (Hamburg, New York)168 mi
  10. 10HarnessYonkers Raceway — Messenger Stakes (Yonkers, New York)171 mi

Questions about Vernon Downs

Where is Vernon Downs?

Vernon Downs is in Vernon, New York.

What kind of racing is at Vernon Downs?

Vernon Downs hosts harness racing. Live racing runs mid-April to mid-November.

When did Vernon Downs open?

Vernon Downs opened in 1953.

What other racetracks are near Vernon Downs?

The closest is Tioga Downs in Nichols, New York, about 85 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.