Carter extends lead, Champions on hand at Shenandoah County Fair

Woodstock, VA — The crowd was full of American veterans for another great day for live racing at the Shenandoah County Fair. On hand were some very good horses including Tarver Hanover (Little Brown Jug Day 2003) and Magnum Kosmos (Hambletonian 2011) who definitely made their presence felt on a great day of racing.

Starting off the day was a field of FFA pacers that were very competitive and led to a very exciting finish. Peanut Butter Cup (The Panderosa-Voluptuous Hanover) rode the pocket for driver WIlliam Carter and when they turned for home, American Fighter who had led the whole mile went just a touch wide. They were four-wide at the head of the lane and Peanut Butter Cup got up just in time in 2:02.4.

Tug River Man made today another winning one racing in two heats for Trainer Betsy Brown in the Ed Long Memorial. Tug River Man sat behind a very good Sun Chimes and up the back stretch really took off for driver Alvin Lineweaver. At the head of the lane Lineweaver took the lead, Sun Chimes tried to battle back, but faded. Betsy Brown said of Tug River Man “He’s a very gutsy horse with a ton of heart.” This win gives him three wins on four starts this weekend.

Magnum Kosmos, the fan favorite after having participated in the Hambletonian, went off-stride on the opening turn of the race and never really fought back. In heat two, however, he came right after Sun Chimes and a tiring Tug River Man and just missed at the wire for trainer/driver Tony Dinges.

The fastest race of the day and of the 2014 season came in race six which was the 2nd heat of the 2nd division of the FFA Pace. Tarver Hanover went to the lead early setting honest fractions, but when they turned for home Prince of Badlands and William Carter took over and just got up to win in an upset.

After today Tarver Hanover has made over $826,000 lifetime and has won 53 of 303 starts making him the winningest horse to race at the fair this season. Racing continues at the Shenandoah County Fair tomorrow with a 1st post of 1 P.M. For more information you can go to shencofair.comor call the race office.