Virginia Breeders elimination races for 3-year-old pacers and trotters kicked off this weekend at Shenandoah Downs, the first time the series has ever been held in spring. Trotters took center stage Saturday while pacers battled Sunday in gorgeous spring weather conditions. Fastest mile Sunday was authored by Jane Dunavant’s Proper Lady in the $8,000 Filly Pace’s […]
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Steve Wetzel, 2021 “Own a Horse for a Day” Contest Winner, is now Leading Trainer at Shenandoah Downs
Former VHHA “Own a Horse for a Day” promotional contest winner and local resident Steve Wetzel — now an actual harness owner and trainer — won four races at Shenandoah Downs over the weekend to soar to the top of the trainer standings. Wetzel entered the weekend with four wins and followed up with a […]
Recap of the 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup
*Story originally posted on nationalsteeplechaseassociation.com on 5/7/2025, written by Emma Cary, Photos courtesy of Douglas Lees* Despite some ominous weather in Virginia, fan turnout was undeterred as the Virginia Gold Cup celebrated its 100th anniversary. Six races were on tap at Great Meadow Race Course – a seventh was cancelled when storms blew in – […]
Roger Hammer’s Battin Athousand Captures Shenandoah Downs Trotting Feature Sunday In Woodstock
Roger Hammer’s Battin Athousand captured his 23rd career victory in Shenandoah Downs’ $8,000 featured race Sunday as the Woodstock oval continued its “10 Years of Pari-Mutuel Racing” campaign. The 5-year-old Fordham Road horse trotted fourth through the half as Charles & Rose Robbins’ Terry’s Watching controlled the field early, cutting fractions of :28.0 and :57 […]
Shenandoah Downs’ Kentucky Derby Day Festivities Feature a Special Post Time of 3:05 PM
Shenandoah Downs will celebrate Kentucky Derby Day this Saturday May 3rd with a party that features wagering on the entire card from Churchill Downs, a Fancy Hat contest, mint juleps, live music, a free handicapping contest and a special mid-afternoon harness start time. The first of ten live harness races will go to post at 3:05 […]
Shenandoah Downs Spring Meet Kicks Off with Hunter Myers Tribute/Fundraiser; Lou’s Starr Bests Track Record Holder Marco Beach
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, […]
$550K Claiming Crown Preview set for Aug. 21 at Colonial
Racing’s blue-collar warriors get a preliminary day in the spotlight Click here for condition-book details on the eight Claiming Crown Preview Day races Aug. 21 at Colonial Downs. LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a collaboration to further increase the popularity of the Claiming Crown series for racing’s blue-collar horses, Colonial Downs will host an eight-race Claiming Crown […]
Cassiopeia Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to Camp Holiday Trails in Support of Foxfield 2025 Spring Races
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – April 18, 2025 — The Cassiopeia Foundation, owners of the Foxfield Racecourse, is proud to announce a $50,000 grant to Camp Holiday Trails, a year-round nonprofit camp for children with medical needs, amplifying the impact of community support raised through ticket sales for the Foxfield 2025 Spring Races. This grant strengthens the […]
COLONIAL DOWNS ANNOUNCES STAKES SCHEDULE FOR 2025
Festival of Racing Slated for August 9; Newly Christened Old Dominion Derby for September 7 An expanded live racing schedule, featuring higher overnight purses and more stakes races, is on tap when Colonial Downs kicks off its 41-day meet, running from Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday, September 13. The summer 2025 stakes program, highlighted by […]
