Woodstock, VA — Tony and Linda Schadel’s Aflame Hanover equaled the Shenandoah Downs track record time of 1:52.1 in Sunday’s (April 7) $8,000 Winners Over pacing feature which highlighted the ninth season opening race weekend in Woodstock.

The original mark was set by John’s Dream in the track’s initial 2016 campaign and had stood alone until Sunday. Ironically, John’s Dream, now 11 years old, was scheduled to compete in the feature but was scratched.

Linda and Tony Schadel with Aflame Hanover in the winner’s circle. VEA photo.

Aflame Hanover left from post five in a field of six and at the quarter mark was a nose better than Alexandria Goldin’s Marco Beach in :27.2. The second-place pacer powered past the leader in the turn, got to the half in :56.1 and maintained a quarter-length cushion over Aflame Hanover through the third fraction of 1:25.

Driver Tony Schadel, who had not driven his 8-year-old Russell Hanover gelding in almost a year, came outside in the final turn to regain the lead, led by 2-1/4 lengths heading for home and crossed the wire four lengths the best. Marco Beach finished second while Lawrence and Derrick Cooper’s Caviart Stoney took third.

Though Aflame Hanover reached the winner’s circle for the first time this year, he has still bankrolled $14,500 in just eight starts. Overall, the consistent performer has 28 wins from 143 lifetime starts and career earnings of $566,194. Aflame Hanover is out of Applique Hanover by Western Ideal. Linda Schadel is the trainer.

Driving wins were spread out among the entire driving colony opening weekend. Six different reinsmen collected two each including Lucas Myers, Cole Olsen, Fern Paquet Jr., Tyler Shehan, Cory Kreiser and Eric Davis, who also had a trio of second place finishes.

The Woodstock ovals continues its seven-week spring campaign this weekend with cards on Saturday (April 13) and Sunday (April 14) at 1:05 p.m.

Fans can register to “Own a Horse for a Day” both days. The popular promotion is sponsored by the Virginia Harness Horse Association and gives eight lucky fans a chance to own a horse in a specified race, meet their horse and connections in the paddock and best of all, keep the purse money it earns in a $5,250 race.

This past weekend, WSIG radio contest winner Duane Stover won $2,625 when “his” horse, Leroys Skipn Skool, crossed first in the sixth race.

Sunday’s card will feature five Corgi Dog races as well which will be mixed in with the afternoon harness card.