Woodstock, VA – Shenandoah Downs kicks off its 11th fall season of pari-mutuel harness racing this Saturday (Sept. 19) and continues a seven-week campaign through Nov. 1 with cards every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. (EDT).
The track hosted a seven-week meet in the spring and most recently played host to a four-day non-wagering County Fair meet in the week leading up to Labor Day.
Two-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes will take center stage on two different occasions during the meet. A four-pack of $100,000 Virginia Sire Stake divisional finals are scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 3, and a four-pack of Virginia Breeders divisional championships highlight closing weekend festivities on Oct. 31. Prep races for each series will be contested the weekends of Sept. 26-27 (Sire Stakes) and Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25 (Breeders), respectively.
Opening day will feature a tribute to John’s Dream, the winningest harness horse ever at Shenandoah Downs. Foaled at owner/driver/trainer Chuck Perry’s farm in Suffolk, Va., John’s Dream competed 12 years – 11 in Woodstock and one year at Oak Ridge in 2015 – and reached the winners circle 36 times at Virginia tracks. Overall, the Dream Away gelding won 57 races and amassed $435,362 in earnings. The first 500 fans 18 years of age and up will receive a free commemorative John’s Dream long-sleeved T-shirt.
Othe key promotions include a 10th anniversary celebration on Sept. 26, Shenandoah County’s annual Autumnfest celebration on Oct. 3, a “Pigskin & Ponies Own a Horse for a Day” event on Oct. 10, the Wiener Dog Derby on Oct. 11, baseball cap giveaway on Oct. 17, and Pink Power Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Oct. 24.
Every Sunday, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 canned beer and enter a free “Pick the Horses” handicapping contest with $250 in cash prizes. The winner of each Sunday’s contest will take home the top prize of $125 and get a chance to “Own a Horse for a Day” Nov. 1 and win their share of a $5,000 purse. The popular promotion is sponsored by the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA).
Shenandoah Downs is located in the quaint town of Woodstock off I-81 at Exit 283, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester. Harness racing has been featured at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds for 110 years.
Additional season details are at shenandoahdowns.com. TrackMaster past performances and Derby Bill Watson’s daily tip sheet are available free via the website.