Shenandoah Downs: 95-Year-Old Virginia Harness trainer wins race

With the help of 4-year-old pacer Billy Boy B, 95-year-old harness trainer William Fletcher collected his first win in four years during the fall season opening day card on Saturday at Shenandoah Downs.

The son of Roddy's Bags Again was making his first start of the year – as was his nonagenarian conditioner – and was fresh off a September 11 runner-up qualifying mile at Harrington. In Saturday's sixth race, Fletcher's gelding sat third through the first half of the non-winners of 1 mile event until driver Chuck Perry took the eventual winner outside down the backstretch, hit the third fraction in front by one length over previous leader Opals On Fire and cruised home in 2:00. The winner, who was turned out for eight months after his last start in November, returned $7.40.

Fletcher, who lives in Oak Hall, Virginia --- located on the state's Eastern Shore --- was a produce farmer who got involved in harness racing in the 1960's. His last win came with Breeze Away B, a former Virginia Breeder's 2-Year-Old Filly Pacing champ, in 2020. The daughter of Nuclear Breeze won five races that year and as a freshman in 2019, captured both the Breeder's prep and $42,275 final in that division. Fletcher lives five hours from Woodstock but caught a ride with owner/trainer Robert White of Chincoteage, whose Antares Star competed on the same card Saturday.

The 7-week meet resumes this weekend with cards on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22 at 1:05 PM. Fans both days can enter the "VHHA Own a Horse for a Day" promotion and try to be one of eight contestants that get a unique chance to own a horse the following Sunday and keep the share of purse money their horse earns in a $5,250 race.

The track is located at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at I-81, Exit 283 in Woodstock, halfway between Harrisonburg and Winchester.

-edited release (Shenandoah Downs)