Trainer Amanda Jackson and driver Roger Plante teamed up to win a pair of races for owner Larry Jackson at Shenandoah Downs Sunday as the second week of action from the inaugural meet came to a close.
The duo kicked off the card with Justa Party Animal’s wire to wire triumph in 2:01 1/5 and came back in the fifth with Desire Lady’s 1:57 3/5 winning score. The former finished second at the Woodstock half mile oval opening weekend and took advantage of a class drop Sunday. The latter, who encountered similar circumstances, bettered a third place finish a week prior with a one length triumph over Baby Buntin courtesy of a class drop too. Both pacers were sent off as respective betting choices in their $3500 conditioned events.
Beautiful Artist paced the fastest mile of the afternoon, scoring a tight win over Just Henry in 1:56 3/5 by taking the inside route. The Stephen White owned, trained and driven 6 year old mare never led until just before the wire. She passed Somuchcooleronline and Just Henry in deep stretch to gain her 15th career triumph. By Real Artist out of Buenavista Hanover by Western Hanover, the victor saw her bankroll surge past the $152,000 level.
Reinsman Tyler Shehan continued to have an early season presence by connecting twice. He guided Herman Hagerman’s Abbe Normal and Lawrence Cooper’s Summer Deo to victory in the sixth and eighth races. Abbe Normal earned her first lifetime win after 37 outings. The 5 year old daughter of Kadabra wired a field of trotters en route to a 2:01 4/5 crossing. Summer Deo came outside at the half, grabbed the lead by a nose from Said No One Ever and never looked back. The 6 year old Tell All gelding won his second straight at Shenandoah and finished just one-fifth of a second slower than last week’s 1:56 2/5 winning effort.
The season continues every Saturday and Sunday through October 9th with a post time of 1:00 PM. Racing Secretary Mike Wandishin has tweaked the draw schedule beginning this week. Entries will be taken for Saturday’s card on Wednesday, and entries for Sunday’s card will be taken on Thursday. During the first two weeks, a double draw for both weekend programs had been held on Wednesday. Horsemen can call entries in to 540-459-5460 or 540-459-5456.
