This weekend was opening weekend at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock VA for harness racing. It was awesome to see that the grandstand was filled to capacity and the fans were cheering. It felt like I was at one of the big races.
A ‘course record’ was set 2 weeks ago at the Fair meet.
It was shattered on Saturday – by 7 seconds!
it was completely shattered by a 3 year old!!! I wish I could get a recording of the race call. I have never heard an announcer say that a horse was up by a BILLION!!! All of us standing in the paddock waiting for the next race got a huge laugh out of that and gave good natured grief of the owner/trainer/driver of said horse, Johns Dream, Chuck Perry Jr over it but unfortunately he didn’t here it while he was out on the track so he didn’t get the joke.
It was just so wonderful to hear actual fans cheering. They cheered at the start, at the half and at the finish. It was a very heartwarming sound. I am hoping that it means that harness racing has found new fans that are excited about the sport.
“It was awesome to see that the grandstand was filled to capacity and the fans were cheering.”
Superb! Does one’s heart good to see that, for sure. Good going, VA, and keep it up.
OP: 5 weekends of racing! It sounds very positive. According to the VRC they are putting $700k into track renovation. Hope your stable can cash in on the purses. I know it must be more comfortable than last year and the Oak Ridge “Freezer burn” meet.
They have 1/2 again as many horses running (trotting!) this weekend, and full fields in all 21 races over both days. Weather is lovely so hopeful they’ll get a full grandstand again.
My only question is … are they betting? I have not seen any numbers on that.
Wow thats cool! Please do inform about the event before it takes place the next time.
