Between Utica and Oneida, where Route 5 rambles through the fields and farms of the Mohawk Valley, The Black Stallion restaurant in Vernon treats travelers, neighbors, foodies, and friends to authentic Italian American cuisine with a contemporary flare yet a traditional touch.

When Vernon Downs opened in 1953, horses who were no longer required to tow buggies took to the track to pull sulkies as these sleepy upstate towns grew in prosperity as a result of the Erie Canal and local railroads hauling their harvests. In 1955, Adios Harry ran what would forever be known as “The Miracle Mile,” attracting throngs of fans.