Their paths only crossed once during active competition, but on Friday two of harness racing's all-time greats -- driver John Campbell and pacer Foiled Again -- were once again a team on the racetrack.
Shenandoah Downs in Charles Town, W.V. opened its fourth pari-mutuel harness meet on Friday (Sept. 13) with an appearance by the richest driver and horse of all time -- John Campbell and Foiled Again. Both held a meet and greet with fans then after the seventh race, Campbell put on his racing colours and got in the sulky for the first time since his 2017 retirement. He led Foiled Again, now retired, in a lap around the track.
Foiled Again will be at the track again Saturday. The first 600 fans 18 and older will receive a free Foiled Again t-shirt which commemorates his 104th win which came at Shenandoah Downs last fall.
Woodstock based trainer/driver Betsy Brown, who is one win shy of her 500th win, will parade Foiled Again in front of the stands then take a lap as well.
Timothy Betts’ Some Fancy Beach stole the show with a dominating 13-1/2 length win. The three-year-old Somebeachsomewhere filly powered to a five-length margin on top at three-quarters, opened up by nine at the head of the stretch then crossed handily in 1:56.1. Overlooked at 12-1, driver Jeremy Indof guided the upset victor to her third lifetime triumph in 23 starts.
Driver Chris Shaw reached the winner's circle four times Friday aboard Keystone Stevie, Triple T Swinger, Alexis May Hanover and Marvalous Song. Trainer Jason Shaw had a trio of wins with his brother’s last two and Cream Puff Diddy.
Nine races were contested Friday and 12 will be held on Saturday beginning at 2:00 p.m. Racing Secretary Dee Lineweaver was pleased with entries the first weekend.
“People were excited to come to Shenandoah Downs several years ago when we started because it was a brand new track,” Lineweaver said. “A lot has changed since but we don’t have barns yet and still race out of temporary tents. People like to come here though because it is has a friendly, nice atmosphere and the area is beautiful.”
The Shenandoah Downs meet continues every Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. until Oct. 13. The track is located at Exit 283 off I-81, halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg.
The races are streamed live at shenandoahdowns.com. Wagering is available at the track and at Colonial Downs OTBs at Breakers Sports Grille, Ponies and Pints, Buckets Bar & Grill, The Windmill OTB Sports Grill and at Rosie’s in New Kent.
(with files from Shenandoah Downs)