Horses, Fans Return as Shenandoah Downs Season Begins

Shenandoah Downs will launch its 11th season of harness racing this weekend, bringing a full slate of races and special celebrations to Woodstock.

Opening day is set for Saturday, April 11, with an 11-race card beginning at 1:05 p.m. The day will also honor longtime driver and trainer Roger Hammer, celebrating his decades-long impact on Virginia racing and his 80th birthday. Fans can take part in the festivities with a commemorative T-shirt giveaway and birthday cake. Hammer, a Bedford, Pennsylvania native, is scheduled to compete in three races on the card.

The featured race Saturday is a $10,000 Open Handicap Pace, drawing seven horses with combined earnings topping $3.3 million. Leading the field is Lou’s Starr, owned by Dan Chansky, who enters as the 2-1 early favorite. The 4-year-old has won eight times at Shenandoah Downs and competed in last year’s $500,000 Little Brown Jug final.

Noblesville, owned by Gerry Longo, is the second choice at 5-2. The 5-year-old gelding has earned more than $655,000 in his career, highlighted by a win in the $250,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final. Rebellious, a 12-year-old veteran with 88 career victories and nearly $700,000 in earnings, is listed at 4-1 odds.

The field also includes a familiar name to local fans. John’s Dream, the winningest horse in Shenandoah Downs history with 33 track victories, will start from the rail. The 13-year-old gelding has 54 wins overall and more than $410,000 in earnings.

Rounding out the competitive lineup are Imoutthedoor, Sea Of Life, and Villiam, each bringing strong records and significant career earnings to the race.

Racing continues Sunday, April 12, with another 11-race program starting at 1:05 p.m. The spring meet will run for seven weeks, with races scheduled every Saturday and Sunday through May 24.

Fans who cannot attend in person can still take part, as Shenandoah Downs’ races will be available for wagering through major advance deposit wagering platforms and simulcast at tracks and off-track betting locations nationwide. Free race programs and tip sheets are also available on the track’s website.

With competitive fields and a weekend of celebration, Shenandoah Downs is set to kick off another season of racing in the Shenandoah Valley.

Free Trackmaster programs and Tip Sheets are available at shenandoahdowns.com.