The Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA) announced on Monday, Feb. 12 details of its Mountain Racing Series, open exclusively to four and five-year-old horses that are graduates of Virginia's Certified Residency program.

The slate of four races will take place at Shenandoah Downs on Saturday, April 27 and feature combined purses of $100,000 USD. 

The respective Blue Ridge Pace and Alleghany Trot will have separate $25,000 USD divisions for four-year-olds and five-year-olds -- a total of four races in all. Both 2019 and 2020 graduate foals are eligible. Eliminations for these races will be held on April 20 and will feature a $6,000 USD purse. Horses must race in the eliminations to compete in the finals. The top eight finishers in each division will advance.

There is no cost to participate in these races; however, horsepeople must complete a registration form at vhha.net and turn it in by March 15, 2024. Horses that do not submit the registration on time will not be allowed to participate. For more details, contact Debbie Warnick at 443-463-0917.

Racing applications are currently being accepted for the Shenandoah Downs spring meet in Woodstock, Virginia. The seven-week campaign will run from April 6 to May 19 with races every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Applications can be accessed at shenandoahdowns.com and are due March 1.

(Virginia Harness Horse Association)