This week the Virginia Equine Alliance announced immediate and longer-term plans for Standardbred and Thoroughbred racing in the state and introduced a new website  that will cater to all aspects of Virginia horse racing.

A release by the VEA states that the town of Woodstock will become home to Standardbreds beginning this September.

The VEA has signed a lease with the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds to run a 10-day pari-mutuel meet over five consecutive weekends starting September 10. An extensive track renovation project will soon begin there, as well.

The current half-mile oval that has played host to  county fair, non-betting harness races for 98 years, will be widened and the turns banked in order to accommodate larger fields.

World-renowned track consultant Greg Coon will oversee the  upgrade process, and, once complete,  the track  should be one of the finest half-mile ovals in the mid-atlantic region.

To view the full release on the VEA’s new website, click here.

(With files from the VEA)