Shenandoah Downs raises the curtain on its ninth season of pari-mutuel harness racing September 14 in Woodstock and continues a 7-week fall meet through October 27 with race cards every Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 PM.
Opening day features a commemorative baseball cap giveaway to the first 500 fans along with live blues & rock music provided by Bobbie G & The Heavies. On Sunday September 15, concession specials include $1 hot dogs, $2 canned beer and free ice cream that will be served in an 8-ounce souvenir cup. When fans bring thr cup back on future fall race days, they will get one dollar off ice cream.
On opening Sunday, eight lucky fans that won contests via social media, thru Harrisonburg radio stations WSIG & WSVA and at the Shenandoah County Fair harness races, will get a chance to “Own a Horse for a Day” and win their share of a $5,250 purse. The Virginia Harness Horse Association sponsors the promotion three times each meet and gives a total of 24 fans a chance to participate. Contestants enjoy free lunch, get to meet their horse and connections in the paddock before the race and best of all, keep their share of purse winnings based on where their horse finishes. The top contestant wins $2,625 while the last place finisher still takes home $100. Future contest registration will take place on September 21 & 22 and again on October 12 & 13.
Other meet promotional highlights include Wiener Dog races on September 22, Texas Trick Rider demonstrations on September 28 & 29, the Shenandoah County Chamber’s Autumnfest Celebration October 5 which traditionally attracts 3,000 fans, cornhole tournaments on September 21 & October 12, a Ski Hat giveaway on October 12, Miniature Horse races on October 19 and a concert series featuring some of the region’s top bands in conjunction with the harness races.
On three separate occasions, every race on the card will be named after fans that are either grandparents (October 6), active/retired military (October 12), or cancer survivors (October 19). The named race package is free for fans who wish to participate. They receive a named race, make a presentation in the winner’s circle, receive a souvenir picture of the presentation and get a ride in the starter’s car that day. To register, simply e-mail drrllwd@hotmail.com.
Season highlight is Virginia Breeder’s Championship Day slated for closing day, Sunday October 27. Eight divisional championships will be on the line for 2 and 3-year-old pacers and trotters of both sexes with combined purse money of $650,000-plus.
Shenandoah Downs offers free parking and free admission. Free Trackmaster past performance programs and tip sheets for all race days are available at shenandoahdowns.com.
The Shenandoah simulcast signal will again be streamed on Dish-TV so fans around the country can wager Virginia races at their favorite track or simulcast outlet, and online via Twinspires, TVG, Xpressbet and NYRAbets. The track is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at I-81, Exit 283 in Woodstock, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester.
