Shenandoah Downs will open its 11th season of pari-mutuel harness racing this Saturday, April 11 with an 11-race program beginning at 1:05 p.m. 

The opener will celebrate driver/trainer Roger Hammer's distinguished career, his impact on Virginia racing over two-plus decades and his 80th birthday as well — with a commemorative t-shirt giveaway and celebratory birthday cake. The Bedford, Pa. native has horses in the first, fourth, and 10th races on Saturday.

The featured race on the card is a $10,000 USD Open Handicap Pace with seven entrants that have combined purse winnings of over $3.5 million. Dan Chansky's Lous Starr, who has won eight times at Shenandoah and is the 2-1 morning-line favourite, will leave from the outside post seven with Corey Braden in the bike. The four-year-old Sweet Lou-Amantha Starr horse competed in the $694,444 Little Brown Jug final last September. He is 14-for-46 lifetime with $214,431 in the bank.

Noblesville is the early second choice at 5-2 and will depart from post six with owner-trainer-driver Gerry Longo in the bike. The five-year-old gelding has banked $801,387 and won 17 times in 76 career starts, including a triumph in the a $337,838 Indiana Sire Stakes Super Final as a three-year-old.

Rebellious, owned by P T Stable, is the third pick at 4-1 odds with William Carter in the sulky. The 12-year-old Bryson Dunning trainee has 88 career wins in 275 outings and boasts $754,182 in earnings.

Johns Dream, the winningest horse in Shenandoah Downs history with 33 local victories, has the rail for owner-trainer-driver Chuck Perry. The 13-year-old gelding has 54 overall wins and $429,718 in earnings in 157 starts.

Others in the elite field include Cathy Dessert's Imoutthedoor ($308,308), Steve Wetzel's Sea Of Life ($473,951) and Joe Chindano's Villiam ($573,011).

Opening weekend festivities continue on Sunday with an 11-race card starting at 1:05 p.m. The seven-week campaign will continue every Saturday and Sunday afternoon through May 24. Shenandoah Downs' simulcast signal is available via all major ADW outlets and many tracks and OTBs around the country. Free TrackMaster programs and tip sheets are available at shenandoahdowns.com.

(Shenandoah Downs)