Shenandoah Downs raises the curtain on its ninth season of pari-mutuel harness racing Saturday, Sept. 14 in Woodstock, Va. and continues a seven-week fall meet through Oct. 27 with race cards every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Opening day features a commemorative baseball cap giveaway to the first 500 fans along with live blues & rock music provided by Bobbie G & The Heavies. On Sunday, Sept. 15, concession specials include $1 hot dogs, $2 canned beer and free ice cream that will be served in an eight-ounce souvenir cup. When fans bring the cup back on future fall race days, they will get one dollar off ice cream.  

On opening Sunday, eight lucky fans that won contests via social media, through Harrisonburg radio stations WSIG & WSVA and at the Shenandoah County Fair harness races, will get a chance to "Own a Horse for a Day" and win their share of a $5,250 purse. The Virginia Harness Horse Association sponsors the promotion three times each meet and gives a total of 24 fans a chance to participate. Contestants enjoy free lunch, get to meet their horse and connections in the paddock before the race and best of all, keep their share of purse winnings based on where their horse finishes. The top contestant wins $2,625 while the last place finisher still takes home $100. Future contest registrations will take place on Sept. 21 & 22 and again on Oct. 12 & 13.   

Other meet promotional highlights include Wiener Dog races on Sept. 22, Texas Trick Rider demonstrations on Sept. 28 & 29, the Shenandoah County Chamber's Autumnfest Celebration Oct. 5 which traditionally attracts 3,000 fans, cornhole tournaments on Sept. 21 & Oct. 12, a Ski Hat giveaway on Oct. 12, Miniature Horse races on Oct. 19 and a concert series featuring some of the region's top bands in conjunction with the harness races. 

On three separate occasions, every race on the card will be named after fans that are either grandparents (Oct. 6), active/retired military (Oct. 12), or cancer survivors (Oct. 19).  The named race package is free for fans who wish to participate. They receive a named race, make a presentation in the winner's circle, receive a souvenir picture of the presentation and get a ride in the starter's car that day. To register, simply e-mail [email protected].  

Season highlight is Virginia Breeder's Championship Day slated for closing day, Sunday Oct. 27. Eight divisional championships will be on the line for two- and three-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes with combined purse money of $650,000-plus.  

Shenandoah Downs offers free parking and free admission. Free TrackMaster past performance programs and tip sheets for all race days are available at shenandoahdowns.com. 

The Shenandoah simulcast signal will again be streamed on Dish-TV so fans around the country can wager Virginia races at their favourite track or simulcast outlet, and online via Twinspires, TVG, Xpressbet and NYRAbets. The track is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at I-81, Exit 283 in Woodstock, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester.  

(Shenandoah Downs)