Woodstock, VA — The 2019 license application and race day request submitted by the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation for a fall harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs was approved by the Virginia Racing Commission this past week at its regular meeting. Operations will be conducted by the Virginia Equine Alliance and Virginia Harness Horse Association.

A five week pari-mutuel season will begin at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds in Woodstock Sept. 13 and continue every Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. until Oct. 13. A pair of non-betting racing events will also take place on Sunday (Oct. 6) and Sunday (Oct. 13). Virginia Breeder’s prep races for 2- and 3-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes will be first up, followed by the $300,000 (est.) Breeder’s Championships on closing day.

Stall/racing applications for the fourth annual Shenandoah Downs season are online at www.vhha.net and at www.shenandoahdowns.com. Applications are due Aug. 2.

A $100 stipend will again be paid to owners of horses who finish out of the money — sixth, seventh or eighth.

The barn area and track will open on Wednesday (Sept. 11).

The meet will be preceded by four days of racing during the 102nd Shenandoah County Fair from Aug. 28-31. More details are available through horsemen’s representative Debbie Warnick at 443.463.0917.

Opening weekend will feature a promotional appearance by legendary horse Foiled Again, who was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., on July 7. He is the richest Standardbred of all time and last fall earned victory number 104 at Shenandoah Downs. The now 15-year-old pacer retired with 109 wins. He will take a lap over the Woodstock oval Saturday (Sept. 14), then host a meet and greet with fans the rest of the afternoon. The first 600 attendees that day will receive a free commemorative Foiled Again t-shirt.

Another meet highlight is an Own a Horse For a Day promotion, sponsored by the VHHA. On three separate occasions — Sept. 14, Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, eight fans will be selected via random drawings to own a horse in a $4,000 race the following weekend. They will get to visit their respective horse, trainer and driver in the stable area for photo opportunities and best of all, keep the purse earnings their horses win. One person is guaranteed to take home the winner’s share of $2,000 on each occasion.

Other key promotions include Weiner Dog races on Sept. 28, an Autumnfest BBQ/Craft Beer Festival on Oct. 5, and the Pink Power Breast Cancer awareness event on Oct. 12 which raises funds for the local American Cancer Society chapter.

Every Friday, the 3:30 p.m. happy hour race card will feature one dollar draft beer and hot dogs along with karaoke in the party tent.

Shenandoah Downs is located at Exit 283 off I-81, halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg. Both parking and admission are free and the races are family friendly. More details are at www.shenandoahdowns.com.