Shenandoah Downs to Host its Annual Wiener Dog Derby Sunday September 28

Shenandoah Downs will host its biggest promotional weekend of the fall season this coming Saturday, September 27 — with a special $5,000 Sports Fans “Own a Horse for a Day” event — and Sunday, September 28 — with the annual Wiener Dog Derby.

The Virginia Harness Horse Association’s (VHHA) popular “Own a Horse for Day” contest, where eight fans get a chance to own a horse for an afternoon and vie for a $5,000 purse, will take on a new twist this Saturday. To gain entry, fans must wear a jersey or shirt displaying their favorite sports team or player. Eight lucky fans will be chosen at random for this unique prize after the third race.

Each of the eight winners will randomly select an individual horse to own in the ninth race — THAT AFTERNOON — and will split a $5,000 purse based on where their respective horse finishes. The first-place finisher gets 50% of the purse ($2,500) while second place gets 25% ($1,250), followed by 12%, 8% and 5 % respectively for third through fifth. The final three finishers will each get $100, so all contestants leave as winners.

Winners also receive a lunch voucher and a chance to meet their horse, trainer, and driver in the paddock before the race.

Sunday’s Wiener Dog Derby offers an afternoon of free family fun, featuring the regular harness racing card, which begins at 1:05 PM. The popular dachshund races will rotate in with the horse races, starting at 2:00 PM. Elimination heats will follow races four through seven, and the Wiener Dog Derby will take place after race eight.

Flippin’ Chicken will be on site selling BBQ, and S & S Concessions will be selling $1 hot dogs. The bar will have a $2 canned beer special, and Sugar Creek Ice Cream will have many delicious ice cream flavors available for fans to enjoy. Parking and admission are free!