Tony and Mary Schadel's Aflame Hanover equalled a Shenandoah Downs track record time of 1:52.1 in Sunday's $10,811 Winner's Over pacing feature, which highlighted the ninth season opening race weekend in Woodstock, Virginia.
The original mark was set by Johns Dream in the track's initial 2016 campaign and had stood alone until Sunday. Ironically, Johns Dream -- now 11 years old -- was scheduled to compete in the feature but was scratched.
Aflame Hanover left from post five in a field of six, and at the quarter mark, was a nose better than Alexandria Goldin's Marco Beach in :27 .2. The second-place pacer powered past the leader in the turn, got to the half in :56.1 and maintained a 1-1.4-length cushion over Aflame Hanover through the third fraction of 1:25. Driver Tony Schadel, who had not driven his eight-year-old Russell Hanover gelding in almost a year, came outside in the final turn to regain the lead, led by 2-1/4 lengths heading for home and crossed four lengths the best. Marco Beach finished second while Lawrence and Derrick Cooper's Caviart Stoney took third.
Though Aflame Hanover reached the winner's circle for the first time this year, he has still bankrolled $19,593 in eight starts. Overall, the consistent performer has 28 wins from 143 life starts and career earnings of $589,912. Aflame Hanover is out of the Western Ideal mare Applique Hanover. Linda Schadel is his trainer.
Driving wins were spread out among the entire driving colony during opening weekend. Six different reinsmen collected two each, including Lucas Myers, Cole Olsen, Fern Paquet Jr., Tyler Shehan, Cory Kreiser and Eric Davis, who also had a trio of second-place finishes.
The Woodstock ovals continues its seven-week spring campaign this weekend with cards on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 at 1:05 p.m. Fans can register to "Own a Horse for a Day" both days. The popular promotion is sponsored by the Virginia Harness Horse Association and gives eight lucky fans a chance to own a horse in a specified race, meet their horse and connections in the paddock and best of all, keep the purse money it earns in a $5,250 USD race. This past weekend, WSIG radio contest winner Duane Stover won $2,625 USD when "his" horse, Leroys Skipn School, crossed first in the sixth race. Sunday's card will also feature five Corgi Dog races, which will be mixed in with the afternoon harness card.
(With files from Shenandoah Downs)