By Michel Carter, for Shenandoah County Fair

Woodstock, VA — Months of anticipation and waiting endedon Wednesday (Aug. 31) as the new track at the Shenandoah County Fair got itsfirst taste of racing in Virginia.

Charles Perry Jr scored the first victory on the new track atShenandoah aboard Vertigo Hanover (The Panderosa-Varbo). Vertigo Hanoverwent to the lead and never looked back on the rest of the field. He wonhis first heat in 2:00.2 off a final quarter of 29.3 on the track listed asgood. Vertigo Hanover wasn’t finished after one heat though, scoring by abig margin in heat two just missing the track record at the Virginia track.

The conditioned trotting heats were the highlight of the dayas both just missed the track record by the slightest of margins. In thefirst heat, Pixel Queen (Scott Woogen) set some strong early fractions and justheld off a strong closing Speedy Taxi (Charles Perry Jr.). Pixel Queenclosed home in 28.1, which was the fastest final quarter time of the afternoonover the new Shenandoah oval. In the 2nd heat, Speedy Taxi would get hisrevenge just, getting up at the wire over Pixel Queen. Speedy Taxi satback off the pace and closed turning for home just like he did in heat one, butthis time made sure the move was just a bit sooner to score the victory.

Drivers Scott Woogen and Charles Perry Jr led the day indriving victories with three wins a piece, while trainer Gary Messenger scored threevictories on the training side.

Thursday afternoon at the Shenandoah County Fair featuressome very strong horses including Intheblinkofaneye who has been known to putin some very impressive miles. Trainer Tara Hynes is listed to driveIntheblinkofaneye who will start from post four in the Aldine Jenkins MemorialPace and has a big shot at the track record set by Ethical Hanover in 2005.

Live racing resumes at the Shenandoah County Fair onThursday at 1 p.m. and continues through Saturday. For more informationvisit www.shencofair.com.