Woodstock, VA — As Shenandoah Downs concludes it fall meeting with over $800,000 in purses on Sunday, Saturday proved to be a huge winning day for charity as the the Downs partnered with the United States Harness Drivers Club to enrich several charities on this final Saturday of the meeting.
Contributions totaling $4,000 were made to Central High Future Farmers of America, Response, Inc., providing advocacy to survivors of violence, Woodstock Rescue Squad, providing emergency medical service in the Woodstock Fire District, the Woodstock Museum, Preserving the Past for the Future, the Peter Muhlenberg Middle Future Farmers of America and the Elegies Mini Equine Sanctuary.
In making these presentations, Shenandoah Downs Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver said, “These ‘partnership’ donations with the USHDC are possible because of the generosity of the amateur drivers here at the track donating their earnings to each cause.
“Not only do these donations benefit the recipients, it benefits our track and the entire sport as it provides the goodwill that brings people to our facility to enjoy racing, rides in the starting gate and inside looks at how the announcer puts the show on for our fans.
“It’s very unique, no doubt about it!”
As far as the amateur action on track, both USHDC events were captured by Stacey McLenaghan, winning with owner-trainer Daniel Chansky’s Do Ya Think in the opener and, 41 minutes later, scoring with Hulou, trained by Scott Warnick for owner Deborah Warnick.
Do Ya Think, an 8-year-old gelded son of Ponder, survived a war of sorts getting to the front early and then repelled a stiff challenger to the top of the stretch before scoring by a length in 1:58.3 over Bungalow Bill N, handled by Philip Kozak. Just Bettor, with Alexandria Goldin in the sulky, was third.
Do Ya Think now shows a 3-4-4 scorecard in 31 starts, good for $20,585 this semester and $190,578 lifetime. The winner paid $4.00 as the favorite.
Hulou, a 6-year-old altered son of Sweet Lou, left alertly, yielded before the :27.4 hot opening panel to Ideal Perfect Ten, sat chilly while Rockin With Lou joined the leader through subsequent fractions of :57.4 and 1:27.1, then found some room to roam in the lane to romp home by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:56.3. Jonah was second for Scott Woogen after his double-bubble move to the top at the third station with Rocket Mac third for Michael Dailey.
Hulou now sports a 3-7-3 scorecard in 26 starts and bounty of $22,254 this year and $130,598 career-wise. Off as fourth choice in the betting, Hulou paid $13.00 to his faithful.
For Stacey McLenaghan, the driving double pushed her batting average to .341 with this being her 17th win this year.
She also had a double as a trainer on Saturday as both Timestorm and Kotare Yael N were to be found in the winner’s circle.
Sunday wraps up the Shenandoah Downs meeting with post time set for 1:05 p.m.