Shenandoah Downs

09/14/2026

Congratulations to 9-year-old harness horse owner Logan Shehan --- whose 5-year-old gelding pacer The Phantom collected second & third place finishes at the recent Shenandoah County Fair meet in Woodstock --- and reached the winner's circle last Wednesday in Kentucky for the first time this year! It was Logan's first win ever as a horse owner and here's the best part --- the earnings are all earmarked for his college education fund. Logan's mother Marna is the trainer and his father Tyler often drives for his son.

Asked how it felt to win a race, Logan said, "I just couldn't believe it. When he was leading in the final turn I thought a miracle might happen. I started screaming 'He's gonna win. He's gonna win'. I was so happy."

Prior to the recent top-three finishes, Logan's horse finished no better than fifth in any of its first five starts for the pre-teen owner. Asked what sparked the turnaround, Logan replied, "Love. That's all it is, love. You gotta love them."

The Shenandoah Downs fall harness season begins this Saturday, September 19 and continues through November 1 with racing every Saturday & Sunday at 1:05 PM. Admission & parking are free and the action is family friendly. And who knows, you just might see Logan in the winners circle.

09/14/2026

The Shenandoah Downs barn area opened today in anticipation of Saturday’s harness season opener —- and the first horse to load in was Henry Lewis’s Captain Bad Boy! First post Saturday & Sunday is 1:05 PM and admission is free.

09/11/2026

Tim from Sugar Creek Snowy & Sweet Ice Cream Shop Woodstock, VA is getting their stand ready at Shenandoah Downs for the 2026 fall racing season which begins next Saturday September 19 in Woodstock. And mark your calendars for our 10th anniversary celebration on September 26. Fans can get 10 cent ice cream!

09/10/2026

We love it when locals get captivated by the sport of harness racing and become involved as horse owners --- then win for the first time in front of family and friends! Congratulations to Woodstock's own Chris Pangle who had that experience Saturday when his 7-year-old pacer Fear The Beach won the final race of the Shenandoah County Fair meet! Edinburg resident Steve Wetzel not only trains the horse, but drove him to victory as well. Pangle will have three horses competing at the Shenandoah Downs fall race season which kicks off a week from Saturday --- September 19. Meet details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

09/09/2026

Set up time is in full swing now for the 2026 fall harness racing season at Shenandoah Downs! We're busy getting the barn area ready for horses to ship in beginning on Monday and getting the betting area ready for horseplayers with a brand-new look. Opening day is a week from Saturday --- September 19 --- and we can't wait to see everyone back in Woodstock for the seven-week season. Details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

09/09/2026

Ever wanted to own a racehorse and keep the purse money it earns in a $5,000 race? We're giving three lucky fans that unique chance! Register to win this very cool VIP Experience at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, VA.

Watch, wager and win as pacers and trotters compete in 10 harness races every weekend afternoon from September 15th-October 14th. Free admission & parking.

09/09/2026

Congratulations to Billy Carter and Zan Kaiser --- the respective leading driver & trainer at last week's Shenandoah County Fair harness meet in Woodstock! Billy had 7 wins -- to go with 7 seconds & 8 third place finishes ---- while Zan collected 5 wins, a second & a third from 7 starts. The 4-day County Fair meet was the 110th in Woodstock where a rich harness tradition continues this fall with the Shenandoah Downs season -- which runs every Saturday & Sunday afternoon from September 19 - November 1. Details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

09/08/2026

Looks like the Shenandoah County Fair is finally over -- after two demolition derbies and an evening of monster trucks! Preparations are now underway for the fall harness racing season which begins a week from Saturday --- on September 19. The first 500 fans age 18 & up that day will receive a free commemorative long sleeved t-shirt. Gates open at 12 Noon and first race is at 1:05 PM. Season details are at shenandoahdowns.com.

09/08/2026

Congratulations to Jennifer Wolverton and Mary Foltz -- who each won a chance to "Own a Horse for a Day" at Shenandoah Downs on Sunday September 20 and compete for their share of a $5,000 purse! Both winners attended the Shenandoah County Fair harness race meet last week and had their names drawn. They join previously selected winners Cindy Moody, Mark Perry and Richard McKelvey in the promotion's field of eight. The final three slots will be determined via social media contesting -- starting tomorrow! Be sure to check our Facebook & Instagram pages on Wednesday.

09/06/2026

Congratulations to three Shenandoah Downs horsemen who had impressive accomplishments this week. Trainer Roger Hammer's Little Road --- who qualified at the Woodstock oval in April --- had a huge win today at Harrah's Philadelphia in the $300,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes 3-Year-Old Filly Trot! Driver Eric Davis had a five-win night at Ocean Downs earlier in the week and driver William Carter went over the $1 million mark in earnings for the third straight year. We can't wait to welcome these three --- along with all the other drivers, trainers, owners, fans & staff --- back to Shenandoah Downs for the 2026 fall meet which begins Saturday September 19.