Horse racing turns on an enthusiastic crowd weekends at Woodstock

Shenandoah Downs, the fancy name for Northern Virginia’s new – and only – harness race track “ain’t no Meadowlands (New York)” a companion agreed at the second weekend of action at Woodstock but what it at present lacks in ambiance it makes up for in excitement and a close-in look at the horses.

And it may be the only horse race track in America where the horses, all of them, including the winner, get a cheer and often a standing ovation at the end of every race on a typical 12-race card.

Ten-year-old gelding Western Captive is the upset winner of the last race on the card last Saturday at odds of 45-1. He is owned and driven by James Stiltner and came in from Lexington, Ky. for the open handicap race. / Track photo

Having spent several hundred thousand dollars under the eye of Tom Eshelman, 57, who moved from managing the Warren County Fair for many years to taking over a similar slot at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, top-flight, parimutuel Standard-bred racing was launched a year ago in Woodstock at the new and expanded half-mile oval as part of the annual fair. Horse racing began its second season on the expanded track on Sept. 16, 2017.

Presented by the Shenandoah County Agricultural Foundation, it represents a natural progression from 98 years of non-wagering races that had previously been a feature at the Shenandoah County Fair. But to officially qualify for its position on the national harness racing circuit, much work needed to be done. For example, 44,000 cubic yards of earth were moved during the track upgrade project; the width of the oval was increased from 48 feet to 65 feet; and trainers and stables had to be persuaded that Shenandoah Downs was a worthy successor to the shuttered Colonial Downs race course in New Kent, Va. The infield has yet to be completed, including installation of “tote” boards and other accouterments.

On last Saturday’s card, pacing and trotting horses were shipped in from distant places such as Maryland (Ocean Downs), New York (Meadowlands), Lexington, Pocono Downs, and Philadelphia while the Shenandoah Downs stable area continues to expand.

To add to the fun, and the obvious novelty to many at the track, race days, which are on each weekend through Oct. 15, are hooked up with various festivals and special events. For example on Sept. 30 the 5th annual “Wine and Trotter Festival” will be featured. While admission to the track is free (and programs cost only a dollar), next Saturday’s attendees can purchase a ticket to include wine sampling from area vineyards during the races. Fans are encouraged to wear their most creative, unique or elegant head wear and enter the first ever fancy hat contest.

On each race day (post time 1 p.m.) there’s a feature whereby a lucky member of the crowd – last Saturday it was Tracy Landes of Woodstock – may win a ride in the race starter’s car via a random drawing. The car sets the field into a running start (compared with the Thoroughbred starts at nearby Charles Town from a stationary gate). Tracy’s comment: “That was the most exciting thing…you could really feel the energy (of the eight horses pacing to a full gallop into line behind the car),” she said.

Tracy Landes of Woodstock received a thrill of her life when she got to ride with race starter Mo Lafontaine who drives the starting gate car which is followed by eight competitive horses at full gallop. “You can really feel “their” energy,” Landes said. / Track photo

Meanwhile, my friend and fellow horseman Gary Buckley of Front Royal were busy comparing our almost weekly jaunts to Charles Town and agreed that Standardbred racing at Woodstock was “more fun!” We were impressed by the excitement the crowd generated, the shorter time (20 minutes) between races, and the fans’ enjoyment expressed by their applause of horses and drivers after each race.

Bettors were patient with (some) fledgling clerks at the betting counter; clerks were patient with first-time bettors many of whom had seemingly never placed a wager before!

Gary and I were impressed with the help offered by a giveaway tip sheet and “Trackman” selections for each race on the program. Providing tips involving what each thought would be the first three finishers, both far outpaced their counterparts at Charles Town. They rarely missed a winner and sometimes had all three top horses. We don’t know how the rest of the several hundred in Saturday’s crowd fared, but we came away with more money than we arrived with!

(Malcolm Barr Sr., our contributing writer, syndicated, raced and bred Thoroughbred horses for 21 years under the corporate name Hampshire Alliance, Inc., known as the Hampshire Racing & Breeding Partnerships. He marked his retirement from racing with 130 winners and a book, “1,000 to 1! Claiming, Breeding and Racing Thoroughbreds on a Shoestring – and Beating the Odds” (authorhouse.com). His real jobs were in journalism and working for the U.S. government).