Shenandoah Downs kicks off its 11th fall season of pari-mutuel harness racing this Saturday, Sept. 19 and continues a seven-week campaign through Nov. 1 with cards every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
The Woodstock, Virginia track hosted a seven-week meet back in spring and most recently played host to a four-day non-wagering County Fair meet in the week leading up to Labour Day.
Two-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes will take center stage on two different occasions during the meet. A four-pack of $100,000 USD Virginia Sire Stakes divisional finals are scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 3 and a four-pack of Virginia Breeders divisional championships highlight closing weekend festivities on Oct. 31. Prep races for each series will be contested the weekends of Sept. 26-27 (Sire Stakes) and Oct. 17-18 and 24-25 (Breeders), respectively.
Opening day will feature a tribute to Johns Dream, the winningest harness horse ever at Shenandoah Downs. Foaled at owner/driver/trainer Chuck Perry's farm in Suffolk, Virginia, Johns Dream competed 12 years -- 11 in Woodstock and one year at Oak Ridge in 2015 -- and reached the winner's circle 36 times at Virginia tracks. Overall, the Dream Away gelding won 57 races and amassed $463,011 in earnings. The first 500 fans 18 years of age and up will receive a free commemorative Johns Dream long-sleeved t-shirt.
Other key promotions include a 10th anniversary celebration on Sep. 26, Shenandoah County's annual Autumnfest celebration on Oct. 3, a "Pigskin & Ponies Own a Horse for a Day" event on Oct. 10, the Wiener Dog Derby on Oct. 11, baseball cap giveaway on Oct. 17 and Pink Power Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Oct. 24.
Every Sunday, fans can enjoy $1 USD hot dogs and $2 USD canned beer and enter a free "Pick the Horses" handicapping contest with $250 USD in cash prizes. The winner of each Sunday's contest will take home the top prize of $125 USD and get a chance to "Own a Horse for a Day" on Nov. 1 and win their share of a $5,000 USD purse. The popular promotion is sponsored by the Virginia Harness Horse Association (VHHA).
Shenandoah Downs is located in the quaint town of Woodstock off I-81 at Exit 283 halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester. Harness racing has been featured at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds for 110 years.
(With files from Shenandoah Downs)