Shenandoah Downs: Live racing resumes this weekend

Shenandoah Downs will open its 11th season of pari-mutuel harness racing this Saturday, April 11 with an 11-race program beginning at 1:05 P.M. (EDT). The opener will celebrate driver/trainer Roger Hammer's distinguished career, his impact in Virginia racing over two-plus decades and his 80th birthday as well with a commemorative t-shirt giveaway and celebratory birthday cake. The Bedford, Pennsylvania, native will compete in races one, four and ten on Saturday.

The featured race on the Saturday card is a $10,000 Open Handicap Pace with seven entrants that have combined purse earnings of over $3.3 million. Dan Chansky's Lou's Starr, who has won eight times at Shenandoah Downs and is the 2-1 morning-line favorite, will leave from outside post seven with Corey Braden in the bike. The 4-year-old son of Sweet Lou competed in the $500,000 Little Brown Jug final last September.

Gerry Longo's Noblesville is the second choice on the morning-line at 5-2 and will depart from post six. The 5-year-old gelding pacer has bankrolled $655,883 from 17 wins in 76 career starts, including a triumph in the $250,000 Indiana Sire Stakes final as a 3-year-old.

P T Stable's Rebellious is third pick at 4-1 odds with William Carter in the sulky. The 12-year-old Bryson Dunning trainee has 88 career wins and is top earner in the field with $694,305.

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John's Dream, the winningest horse in Shenandoah Downs history with 33 local victories has the rail for owner/trainer/driver Chuck Perry. The 13-year-old gelding has 54 overall wins and $410,942 in earnings.

Others in the elite field include Cathy Dessert's Imoutthedoor ($270,023), Steve Wetzel's Sea Of Life ($430,052) and Joe Chinando's Villiam ($509,749).

Opening weekend festivities continue Sunday, April 12 with an 11-race card at 1:05 P.M. (EDT). The seven-week campaign will continue every Saturday and Sunday afternoon through May 24. Shenandoah Downs' simulcast signal is available to wager via all major ADW outlets and many tracks/OTBs around the country.

--press release (Shenandoah Downs)--