Foiled Again, the richest horse in harness racing history, will head to Virginia's scenic Shenandoah Valley this Saturday (Sept. 29) in search of victory number 104. The 14-year-old Dragon Again gelding is the early 4-5 favorite in the fourth race, a $10,000 Invitational Pace at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, VA.
Foiled Again will leave from post five with driver Chris Shaw in the sulky. The Ron Burke trainee comes to Virginia with 321 starts, 103 wins, 68 seconds, 46 thirds and purse earnings exceeding $7.6 million. He had a three-race win streak snapped last start when he finished fourth at Batavia Downs.
"I am extremely grateful and excited to have the opportunity to drive the greatest horse of all time," said Shaw, who was the second leading driver at Shenandoah in 2017.
"Mark Weaver texted my brother on Wednesday to ask if I'd be interested in driving the 'GOAT' (Greatest Horse of All Time)," added Shaw. "I said I'd be more than happy to and I'd find a way to clear my schedule," he joked.
As far as expectations go, Shaw was diplomatic.
"It's a horse race and anything can happen. We'll just have to see when the gate opens and the race unfolds. He's got a big heart and seems able to do what he wants to do most often."
Chris Page drove Foiled Again twice in August, to respective first and third-place finishes.
"He's a war horse and the greatest horse to ever wear a harness," said Page. "He loves his job."
Four other foes will try to prevent Foiled Again from accomplishing his goal including a pair of other 14-year-olds -- B Blissful and Go Easy On Me. The former is a Jimmy Viars trainee who has won 10 races from 21 starts the past two years. He will be driven by Chuck Perry, the meet's leading driver, and comes into the Invitational on a four-race win streak. The latter is a Camtown Fella gelding who will be driven by David Swaney.
The field also includes Best Dream Seeker, a 12-year-old Cambest gelding that will be driven by Corey Braden, and 10-year-old Highland Hellion, who authoured a 1:55.1 winning mile in Woodstock last year.
After the race, a temporary stall will be set up outside the grandstand entrance where fans can enjoy a Meet & Greet with Foiled Again and his connections. Post time Saturday is 2:00 p.m. and the fourth race is expected to go off around 3:00 p.m. A total of 11 races have been carded including a pair of $7,000 Open Handicap events for pacers and trotters. Parking and admission are both free. The races are streamed live at shenandoahdowns.com.
(with files from Shenandoah Downs)