Woodstock, VA – Shenandoah Downs kicks off the fall portion of its “10 Years of Racing in Woodstock” harness racing campaign this weekend with cards Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 13 & 14) at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds beginning at 1:05 PM. The 7-week season continues thru October 26. Parking and admission are always free and the action is family friendly.
Twelve races are on the card Saturday including three races for 2-year-olds. The first 500 fans will receive a free commemorative baseball cap that celebrates those “10 Years of Racing”. Bobby G & The Heavies will perform rhythm and authentic blues rock on the Mountain View Concert Stage all afternoon. On Sunday’s eleven race program, concession specials include $1 hot dogs and $2 canned beer. The first round of winners in the track’s popular “Own a Horse for a Day” contest will compete for a $5,000 purse. The first of several James Madison University cornhole tournaments scheduled this fall will also take place with cash prizes up for grabs — for participants of all ages (18 & up).
Moving forward, Hispanic Heritage Day is slated for Saturday September 20. Fans can enjoy live music with the Canas Y Su Mariachi Band plus there will be a Mexican Food Truck on site and a $3 Modelo canned beer special. Fans 30 years of age and under can participate in the track’s first ever “Next Generation” Handicapping Contest with $500 in cash prizes.
On Saturday (Sept. 27), the track hosts a special “Sports Fans Own a Horse for a Day” promotion. Patrons that wear their favorite team or player’s sports jersey will receive an entry to “Own a Horse” that afternoon. Eight lucky fans will get a chance to compete for a $5,000 purse after the ninth race that same day.
The next afternoon is the annual Wiener Dog Derby. Dachshunds will compete in a series of qualifying heats on the track after races four thru seven and the top two from each for the Derby after race eight. final
Shenandoah’s new 175-stall horse barn in the Shenandoah backstretch will make its debut this weekend. The barn resents a $2 million-plus investment in harness racing by the Virginia Equine Alliance. The 32,500 square foot dual purpose barn housed livestock during the recent Shenandoah County Fair and will now house horses for the fall meet.
Shenandoah Downs’ simulcast signal is available to wager via all major ADW outlets and many tracks/OTBs around the country. Free Trackmaster programs and Tip Sheets are available at shenandoahdowns.com.