(WOODSTOCK, VA. — 9/24/2016)—-Leading reinsman Tyler Shehan widened his lead his lead atop the Shenandoah Downs drivers standings by directing four horses to the winner’s Saturday afternoon.
He connected early aboard Lawrence Cooper’s Somuchcooleronline and Herman Hagerman’s Abbe Normal, mid-card with his own trainee Peach Babe, and late card with another Hagerman pacer, Patricks Day. Shehan, whose fist pumping style has made him a favorite with the Woodstock faithful, entered Saturday action with seven wins from fifteen starts. He won his quartet Saturday (today) from only six drives.
Betting favorite B Blissful won his fifth straight race at Shenandoah Downs Saturday and in doing so, boosted his career bankroll within $1,500 of the $300,000 mark. The 12 year old Jimmy Viars trainee passed front stepping DVC Freewaytofame just before the half and went on to record a 2 3/4 length victory in 1:59.0. The victor has won on all three Saturday’s of the inaugural pari-mutuel meet and earned a pair of wins during the short County Fair meet in early September. Frank Milby was in the sulky for the second straight week.
In the day’s featured $8,000 Open Handicap Trot, Mistress Valentine turned the tables on Explosive Muscles, who captured the spotlight race a week prior. The 7 year Master Glide mare covered a near wire-to-wire effort in 1:58 4/5. Driver/trainer Tyler Stillings’ charge won her 29th career race and increased her bankroll to nearly $348,000. Roger Hammer’s Silver Sierra was second. Explosive Muscles, who finished fourth, had a three race winning streak snapped.
Dr. Scott Woogen, President of the Virginia Harness Horsemen’s Association, got a pair of driving wins on the day. He piloted Peoplesayimnogood to his second straight triumph in the sixth race, and Intrepid T to his first lifetime victory in the finale.
Shenandoah Downs wraps up its third weekend of racing Sunday with an 11 race card beginning at 1 PM. Admission is free and the first 250 adult fans will receive a souvenir baseball cap.
