Shenandoah Downs kicked off its spring harness racing season in Woodstock this weekend by paying tribute to driver Hunter Myers. The horse community gathered on-track to observe a moment of silence before the first race to recognize Hunter’s legacy. A 50/50 raffle was held both Saturday & Sunday to benefit Hunter’s fiance and young son, and over $2,400 was raised as both raffle winners — local horsemen Steve & Nicole Wetzel and Shenandoah County Fair Manager Dawn Burch — donated their winnings right back to the fund.
Combining the raffle earnings with donations from the Virginia Harness Horse Association and Virginia Equine Alliance, a total of $10,000 will be sent to the family on behalf of Shenandoah Downs.
On the track, iconic trainer Roger Hammer had bookend wins in Saturday’s opener. The 79-year-old Beford, Pennsylvania-based conditioner scored with Cirrus De Vie in the finale — with Billy Carter aboard — and with Maker Dance in the opener — with Fern Paquet Jr. in the sulky.
Trainer Bryson Dunning had a training hat trick Sunday when his Winbak Willy, Bettor Be Oscar A and Speaking of Coffee all reached the winner’s circle. Woodstock area-based Steve Wetzel also scored with a trio — over the two days. His Sea Of Life, D’applesrsweet and Defriended all prevailed.
Fastest mile of the weekend belonged to Scott Warnick’s Lou’s Starr who took the lead from track record holder Marco Beach just past the quarter mark in Sunday’s $7,000 secondary featured pace and never looked back, crossing 3 ½ lengths the best in 1:54 4/5. Dan Chansky of Powhatan, Virginia owns the 3-year-old Sweet Lou colt who authored a wire-to-wire victory Monday night at Rosecroft in 1:51 2/5. Last fall, Lou’s Starr reeled off five straight victories at the Woodstock half mile oval.
Second fastest mile belonged to Charles Myers’ Hillbillypacinhill who powered home to a 1:55.0 victory Saturday while Wetzel’s Sea of Life ushered out opening weekend in Sunday’s finale a tick slower in 1:51 1/5.
Tracy Bradshaw, whose home base is in Bland, Virginia — 224 miles southwest of Woodstock — earned his first pari-mutuel driving win ever Sunday aboard his 5-year-old Uncle Peter mare, Joan Deer, which he also trains. Bradshaw has been active in Virginia Breeders competition over the years and has five horses stabled at Shenandoah Downs this spring.
Shenandoah Downs will race next on Saturday May 3 — Kentucky Derby Day — at a special post time of 3:05 PM. The Sunday May 4 card will run at its regular 1:05 PM start. Horsemen entries for both days are due Wednesday at 9 AM.
