Woodstock, VA — Dan Chansky’s Lou’s Starr won the Open Handicap division at Shenandoah Downs for the second straight week — and set another track record in doing so — as the Woodstock oval completed weekend number two of action. The seven-week spring season continues every Saturday and Sunday afternoon through May 24.
The 4-year-old Scott Warnick trainee already owned the male pacing record as both a 2 and 3-year-old but added another notch to his resume when the winner crossed in 1:52 and established a new aged pacing mark in the Valley.
For the second straight week, the son of Sweet Lou dueled in the stretch with Gerry Longo’s Noblesville and the pair finished one-two again. Lou’s Starr was fifth at the quarter before powering forward past the four in front including previous leader Sea Of Life. Driver Corey Braden, who had four wins on the day, led Lou’s Starr to following quarter fractions in :54.4 and 1:23.2 before crossing one-half length the best. The victory was Lou’s Starr’s 10th in Woodstock.
P T Stable’s Rebellious finished third.
Virginia Sire Stake competition kicked off this weekend and was highlighted by Bob McKim’s gelding trotter Kalispel — the 2-year-old colt/gelding trot champ in 2025 — who prevailed in a $10,000 elimination division as a sophomore Saturday (April 18). Driver Billy Carter led the wire-to-wire effort aboard the son of Gregory Pecs in a lifetime best 2:00.3. The $100,000 divisional final is slated for next Saturday. Kalispel is six-for-eight lifetime and has earnings of $56,964.
In the other male trot, Tremaine Harding’s Harding Boy dominated in the mile’s first half and carried a 15-length lead over Seminole Breeze as the field passed the grandstand in 1:01. Most of that margin disappeared in the second half but at the finish, Harding Boy was still on top by 1-1/2 lengths. The winner crossed in 2:02.3 with William Carter in the bike for trainer Mike Whitaker.
Sierra Seidner’s Jet Joanna wired the field in the 3-year-old filly trot prep. The Secular filly triggered panels of :30, 1:01 and 1:31.4 before crossing in 2:03. Carter led Jet Joanna to her first lifetime win.
In Sunday’s (April 19) Sire Stake pacing action, Jason Walters’ Fools Journey went coast-to-coast in the filly division, hitting the wire in 2:00.2 with Justin Walters in the sulky. The daughter of Journeyman also notched her first lifetime win.
Only two pacers competed in the male division and Morton J dominated with a 2:00.1 winning effort with Corey Braden aboard. All four $100,000 divisional finals will be contested on the April 25 card.
Also on Sunday, 32-year-old Walnut Grove, Mississippi native Keoaeka Cager recorded his first win ever as a trainer. Cager got his trainer license less than a month ago and reached the winner’s circle Sunday with 8-year-old gelding pacer Pinebush Lifesaver, who was claimed after the race. Reinsman Billy Carter led the son of Life Up Front to his 20th lifetime victory.