Virginia Breeders’ Championships Begin This Weekend at Shenandoah Downs

Two-year-old pacers and trotters will compete in six elimination races October 17–18, setting the stage for the $400,000 Day of Champions on October 31.

The road to one of Virginia harness racing’s biggest days begins this weekend at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, where the 29th Virginia Breeders’ Championships Series gets underway with two days of competition featuring some of the region’s top young horses.

Six prep and elimination races are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, as two-year-old pacers and trotters compete for positions in the championship finals.

A second round of eliminations will follow next weekend, leading up to the $400,000 Day of Champions on Saturday, October 31. That program will feature four $100,000 championship finals, with separate divisions for two-year-old male and female pacers and trotters.

The opening weekend offers racing fans an early look at several promising young horses, including recent winners of major Virginia and Maryland stakes events.

Saturday Features Two-Year-Old Trotters

Saturday’s program will spotlight the trotters, with full fields of eight horses competing in both the seventh and ninth races.

The seventh race features two-year-old male trotters, led by early favorite In The Worst Way, owned by Herman Hagerman.

The II Mago gelding enters the race after sweeping the Maryland Sire Stakes series at Rosecroft Raceway. He capped that performance with a commanding nine-length victory in the $100,000 final, stopping the clock in 2:00 4/5.

Among his challengers is Andy’s Disaster, owned by Dylan Havens, who also comes into the weekend with an impressive stakes record.

Andy’s Disaster swept his recent Virginia Sire Stakes division and captured the $102,425 final by nine lengths in 2:03.0.

With both horses coming off dominant championship performances, the seventh race could provide an early preview of the competition awaiting them later this month.

The ninth race will feature the two-year-old filly trotters, with Ready Set Goo installed as the early favorite.

Googoo Gaagaa’s daughter has won three of her seven career starts, including an impressive 1:55 4/5 mile at The Meadows on September 16.

Although she finished fifth in her two most recent outings, that earlier win shows the speed she brings to Saturday’s competition.

Trainer Scott Betts will also handle the driving duties.

Another leading contender is Dance With Jenni, owned by Tremaine Harding.

The filly recently captured the $103,150 Virginia Sire Stakes final in 2:02 3/5, establishing herself as a serious contender in the division.

Billy Carter will drive for trainer Michael Whitaker.

Sunday’s Card Turns to Young Pacers

Sunday’s program will feature four divisions of two-year-old pacers, with two races for fillies and two for colts and geldings.

If I Win Uwin leads the first filly division, entering the weekend with $88,675 in earnings, the highest total among the fillies in her group.

Dapper Dude’s daughter is coming off a victory in the $100,000 Maryland Sire Stakes final at Rosecroft last Sunday.

In that race, she rallied from well behind the leaders to claim victory in 1:57 1/5.

Brandon Givens will drive for trainer Les Givens.

The second filly division features Nurse Nippy, owned by John Pyott, who recently captured her Virginia Sire Stakes divisional championship.

The Doctor Butch filly has shown she can control races from the start, leading throughout both her stakes elimination and final.

She won her prep race in 2:01 1/5 before returning to capture the championship in 2:00.0.

William Carter will drive for trainer Bryson Dunning.

The two male pacing divisions also feature several strong contenders.

Caviart Caleb, owned by Caviart Farms, enters as a 6-5 early favorite following a strong performance at Harrah’s Philadelphia on September 18.

The Papi Rob Hanover gelding recorded a winning mile of 1:53 3/5, one of the fastest recent performances among the weekend’s featured competitors.

Troy Beyer will drive for Hall of Fame trainer Jim Campbell.

Another leading contender is Ballarddrgoldfngr, owned by Jonda Smith.

The Doctor Butch gelding is favored in his Sunday division after capturing the Virginia Sire Stakes final in 1:57 2/5.

Driver and trainer Archie Buford has guided the young pacer throughout the season, including a 1:54 3/5 winning effort at Oak Grove.

His recent success in Virginia stakes competition makes him another horse to watch as the championship series moves toward its October 31 finals.

$400,000 Championship Day Set for October 31

The Virginia Breeders’ Championships Series is a major part of the Shenandoah Downs fall racing calendar, bringing together young horses competing in Virginia’s breeding and racing program.

The two weekends of preliminary competition will determine the fields for the four championship races.

Each final will carry a $100,000 purse, creating a combined $400,000 championship program on October 31.

The races will feature two-year-old colt and gelding trotters, filly trotters, colt and gelding pacers, and filly pacers.

For owners, trainers, and drivers, the championship races offer an opportunity to close the season with a major stakes victory. For racing fans, they provide a chance to watch some of the sport’s developing talent compete for significant purses.

Racing Continues Through November 1

Shenandoah Downs will host 15-race programs on Saturday and Sunday, with the first post scheduled for 1:05 p.m. each day.

The track’s 11th annual fall harness racing meet continues through Sunday, November 1, one day after the championship program.

Fans can follow the action in person or watch live harness racing through the track’s website.

Free past performance programs and tip sheets are available at shenandoahdowns.com under the “Wagering” section.

With six elimination races this weekend and $400,000 in championship purses at stake at the end of the month, the next two weeks promise some of the fall season’s most competitive racing in Woodstock.