Plans are being finalized for the second season of pari-mutuel harness racing at Shenandoah Downs, which is scheduled to take place this fall from September 16 to October 15.

Pacers and trotters will compete in a slate of races every Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. The half-mile oval, which was completely renovated a year ago, will also play host to four days of Shenandoah County Fair harness races (non-betting) from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2. This is the 100th anniversary season of fair racing at the grounds in Woodstock, which is located halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg off I-81 at Exit 283.

Featured fair event is the Virginia Breeders prep and elimination races for two and three-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes, which will take place on Sept. 2. The $40,000 (est.) championship for each division will occur during the Shenandoah Downs meet itself. The two-year-old finals are scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 16) while the three-year-old finals are set for Sunday (Sept. 24). A total of eight divisional titles are up for grabs between the two weekends, and more than $300,000 (est.) in purse monies will be awarded.

The meet itself will offer free parking and admission for fans every race day. Betting windows are conveniently located in the grandstand. Win, place, show, exacta and trifecta bets are available each race and can be placed with a teller or via a self bet terminal.

Every Saturday will feature a different themed festival. Hops 'n Hooves, a craft beer tasting event, kicks off the slate on Sept. 16 followed by a Food Truck Festival on Sept. 23. The popular Wine & Trotter Festival is on Sept. 30 and features tastings from Shenandoah Valley wineries. Seafest, where various seafood related vendors are on premise, is on Oct. 7 and Autumnfest highlights closing weekend on Oct. 14. The latter event is a heritage themed festival that includes a barbecue tasting competition with 43 contestants, live music, log splitting competitions and more.

There are separate admission charges to access the Autumnfest, Wine & Trotter, and Hops 'n Hooves sampling areas at Shenandoah Downs but general admission to the harness races is free each day. Details are at shenandoahdowns.com and virginiahorseracing.com.

(Shenandoah Downs)