Mountain Racing Series gets underway at Shenandoah

WOODSTOCK, VA – 4/26/2024 —- Shenandoah Downs enter its fourth weekend of the spring harness racing meet in Woodstock with a pair of twelve race cards scheduled both Saturday and Sunday at 1:05 PM. A four-pack of $25,000 Virginia-Certified events in the track’s Mountain Racing Series for 4 & 5-year-olds — carded as Races 1, 2, 11 & 12 — will highlight action Saturday.

Pam Wagner’s KJ Todd (Trixton) dominated by ten lengths in last week’s $6,000 Alleghany Trot Prep for horses and geldings with Fern Paquet Jr. in the bike. The 4-year-old gelding had a clear path to victory after betting choice Big Daddy D went off stride at the start and again in the final turn. Wagner’s trotter was fifth at the half but powered home in the final circuit to score a ten-length triumph in 1:57 3/5 that included a :28 4.5 closing quarter.

The John Wagner trainee brings a bankroll of $95,294 into Saturday’s final. KJ Todd leaves from outside post six in Saturday’s kickoff race with Paquet back on board.

Charles Myers’ Hillbillyclassygirl (Racing Hill) passed front stepper Brendas Delight in the stretch to capture the Blue Ridge Pacing Prep for mares last week in 1:57.0. The 4-year-old mare was best in a field of six and was piloted by 21-year-old Christian Myers. Kenneth Weckstein and Gary Messenger’s Brendas Delight held on for second, 1¾ lengths off the pace. The pair will depart from posts three and five respectively in Saturday’s second race.

James Brown’s Ellen’s Wish (Charlie De Vie) took advantage of a pocket trip through the third fraction in last week’s Alleghany Trot Prep for mares, came outside in the final turn and cruised home to a 3½ length win in 2:04.0. Trainer Betsy Brown directed the 5-year-old mare to her ninth lifetime victory. Elwood Tignor and Deborah Mulligan’s Roadgracemissellie took second with William Carter in the sulky. The pair are respective first and third early favorites Saturday and will leave from posts five and three.

Final Certified race is the $25,000 Blue Ridge Pace for horses and geldings which will close out the afternoon program.  Scott Woogen is either owner or part owner of three of the five entrants. His trio finished 1-2-3 in last week’s prep — KJ Hunter, KJ Unreal and KJ Hunting — and are top morning line choices in that order. Fern Paquet, Jr., Corey Braden and Archie Buford will pilot respectively. KJ Hunter is a Gary Messenger trainee that crossed in 1:54 1/5 last out.

The Woodstock oval continues its spring meet through May 19 on a Saturday/Sunday basis. Free Trackmaster programs are available by clicking here.

by Darrell Wood, for Shenandoah Downs