Shenandoah, VA — Drivers William Carter & Eric Davis kicked off opening weekend of the Shenandoah Downs fall meet in style with four-win afternoons on Saturday (Sept. 13).
Carter, who scored his first driving win ever at the Woodstock oval four years ago, connected with three of Bryson Dunning’s experienced pacers — Onlythetuffsurvive, Bettor Be Oscar A and Rebellious along. The trio registered career wins 65, 28 and 83 respectively. Carter’s fourth win came aboard Jimmy Viars’ Sweet Fancy Moe.
Davis, who was celebrating his 29th birthday, reached the winners circle with Alex Goldin’s Righthererightnow, Oscar Johnson’s Thosesummernights, Jennifer Petrelli’s Kenobi and Lou Goans’ Leroy Gibbs in the finale.
Three horses tied for fastest mile of the weekend, 1:54.3, including Dunning’s 11-year-old Mach Three gelding Rebellious who edged Charles Myers’ Hillbillypacinhill by one-half length in Saturday’s $9,000 pacing feature. Kayla Pressel’s Leonard’s Legacy cut first half fractions of :26.3 and :55.4 before the eventual winner took over past the half. After a third panel of 1:24.4, Rebellious crossed first and with the win, pushed his career bankroll to $644,770. He is owned by the P T Stable.
Chuck Perry had a pair Sunday that equaled the 1:54.3 mark — 12-year-old Dream Away gelding John’s Dream and 3-year-old Lazarus N colt The Lizard. Both have thrived in Woodstock previously and continue to do so. John’s Dream won for the 31st time over Shenandoah’s half-mile oval and pushed his career earnings over the $400,000 mark with the win. The Lizard won for the seventh time in Woodstock including one last fall, four this spring, one at the County Fair meet and another again Sunday. Perry, who owns, trains and drives both, also scored with Dan Gassien’s Choices Honor.
Fastest trotting mile came in Saturday’s $8,000 featured trot which saw Jennifer Petrelli’s Kenobi wire the field in 1:58.3. The 5-year-old Father Patrick horse pushed his career bankroll over the $200,000 mark with his 15th lifetime score. The winner cut fractions of :28.1, :58.3 and 1:29.2 and took a six-length lead into the top of the stretch before crossing 4-1/2 lengths the best.
Shenandoah Downs continues its seven-week fall stand thru October 26 with racing every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. This coming weekend, Virginia Sire Stake two-year-old prep races will take place in four divisions with $60,000 finals scheduled the following weekend. The track will also host a two-day amateur drivers competition between the U.S. Harness Drivers Club and the Southern Tier Amateur Club. Four drivers from each will compete in a pair of races both Saturday and Sunday and accumulate points based on where their horses finish. Coolers will be awarded to the winning horse in each plus drivers, trainers and grooms of participating horses will receive baseball caps. In addition, checks will be awarded after each amateur race to non-profit organizations, totaling $3,000.
Free Trackmaster programs, along with “Derby Bill’s” tip sheets, are available at shenandoahdowns.com. Races are streamed live on the track’s website as well. Wagering is available via major ADWs, tracks and Off-Track Betting outlets around the country.