Just two weeks into the annual fall standardbred race meet at Shenandoah Downs, history was made when 4-year-old pacer Lou’s Starr recorded the fastest mile ever in the 110-year history of harness racing in Woodstock, Virginia! The 4-year-old son of Sweet Lou crossed the wire in a sizzling 1:51 1/5 on September 26, three-fifths of a second faster than the previous mark which he set last year.
Lou’s Starr’s headline grabbing mile has an added twist as well. His win at Shenandoah was the second track record he authored — that week! On September 21, he erased a mark at Rosecroft Raceway (Oxon Hill, MD.) that was set by Hall of Fame pacer Jenna’s Beach Boy thirty years ago. Lou’s Starr covered the mile there in 1:49.0, which was two-fifths of a second faster Jenna’s previous pacing mark as a 4-year-old.
Trainer Scott Warnick (Saluda, VA) spoke about that surreal five-day period. “It was incredible,” he said. “He’s a very special kind of horse. I can’t ask for any better. He makes a bad trainer look good. When he was two, I envisioned a really nice three-year-old pacer from the work we put into him and what we paid for him. He’s done it all himself. It’s been a ride. He’s taken us places I never thought I’d be. It’s been fun.”
Besides Warnick, Lou’s Starr’s connections include owner Dan Chansky (Richmond, VA) and driver Corey Braden.
Shenandoah Downs continues its fall racing season thru November 1 with cards every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 PM. The track is conveniently located at Exit 283 off I-81 halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester. Admission and parking are free. More details are at shenandoahdowns.com.
