Shenandoah Downs kicks off the fall portion of its "10 Years of Racing in Woodstock" harness racing campaign this weekend with cards on Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14 at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, beginning at 1:05 p.m. The seven-week season continues through Oct. 26.
Twelve races are on the Saturday card, including three races for two-year-olds. The first 500 fans will receive a free commemorative baseball cap that celebrates "10 Years of Racing." Bobby G & The Heavies will perform rhythm and authentic blues rock on the Mountain View Concert Stage all afternoon.
On Sunday's 11-race program, concession specials include $1 USD hot dogs and $2 USD canned beer. The first round of winners in the track's popular "Own a Horse for a Day" contest will compete for a $5,000 USD purse. The first of several James Madison University cornhole tournaments scheduled this fall will also take place with cash prizes up for grabs — for participants of all ages (18 & up).
Moving forward, Hispanic Heritage Day is slated for Saturday, Sept. 20. Fans can enjoy live music with the Canas Y Su Mariachi Band plus there will be a Mexican Food Truck on site and a $3 USD Modelo canned beer special. Fans 30 years of age and under can participate in the track's first ever "Next Generation" Handicapping Contest with $500 USD in cash prizes.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the track will host a special "Sports Fans Own a Horse for a Day" promotion. Patrons that wear their favourite team or player's sports jersey will receive an entry to "Own a Horse" that afternoon. Eight lucky fans will get a chance to compete for a $5,000 USD purse after the ninth race that same day.
The next afternoon is the annual Wiener Dog Derby. Dachshunds will compete in a series of qualifying heats on the track after races four through seven and the top two from each will take part in the Derby final after race eight.
Shenandoah's new 175-stall horse barn in the Shenandoah backstretch will make its debut this weekend. The barn resents a $2 million-plus (USD) investment in harness racing by the Virginia Equine Alliance. The 32,500 square foot dual purpose barn housed livestock during the recent Shenandoah County Fair and will now house horses for the fall meet.
Shenandoah Downs' simulcast signal is available to wager via all major ADW outlets and many tracks/OTBs around the country. Free Trackmaster programs and Tip Sheets are available at shenandoahdowns.com.
Parking and admission are always free and the action is family friendly.
(With files from Shenandoah Downs)