All posts by Darrell Wood

“Own a Harness Horse for a Day” Promotion Winner Barry Shrum Wins First Race as Actual Owner

Woodstock resident Barry Shrum scored his first win ever as a harness horse owner — and trainer — Sunday at Shenandoah Downs when his 12-year-old pacer Pacific Stride came three wide in the final turn, passed four front steppers and cruised home to a 4 1/2 length win after being sent off at odds of … Continue reading “Own a Harness Horse for a Day” Promotion Winner Barry Shrum Wins First Race as Actual Owner →

Shenandoah Downs Set for 12-Race Card Saturday & 13-Race Card Sunday in Woodstock

Shenandoah Downs enters weekend number three of its seven-week spring stand in Woodstock with respective 12 and 13-race cards this Saturday April 20 and Sunday April 21. First post both days is 1:05 PM. Saturday’s card features a trio of U.S. Harness Drivers Club divisions in races 2, 5 and 10 in addition to a … Continue reading Shenandoah Downs Set for 12-Race Card Saturday & 13-Race Card Sunday in Woodstock →

Shenandoah Downs Opens Its 2024 Spring Meet this Saturday April 6 with Full Slate of Promotions     

Shenandoah Downs raises the curtain on its ninth season of pari-mutuel harness racing this weekend in Woodstock. Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, the track will host a pair of 7-week meets this year – a spring session that runs from April 6 – May 19 and a fall session that runs from … Continue reading Shenandoah Downs Opens Its 2024 Spring Meet this Saturday April 6 with Full Slate of Promotions      →

Secretariat Dedication Ceremony Attracts Hundreds of Appreciative Fans

March 30 was a monumental day for Ashland, Virginia and for horse racing from near and far! The town has proclaimed it “Secretariat Day” to celebrate the birthday of the legendary Triple Crown champion and to hold the long-awaited dedication ceremony for the stunning bronze statue “Secretariat Racing Into History” by sculptor Jocelyn Russell. A … Continue reading Secretariat Dedication Ceremony Attracts Hundreds of Appreciative Fans →

Enriched Colonial Downs Meet Highlights Spectacular Summer Steeplechase Season

The following was written by Tod Marks and appeared on his social media channels. In a blockbuster announcement, the National Steeplechase Association has released details of powerhouse jump racing programs at the flat tracks this summer that includes 19 races worth $950,000 at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., and four races at Saratoga Race … Continue reading Enriched Colonial Downs Meet Highlights Spectacular Summer Steeplechase Season →

Colonial Downs Conducts Annual Controlled Burn of Secretariat Turf Course on March 18

The annual controlled burn of the Secretariat Turf Course at Colonial Downs took place Monday March 18 at the New Kent track. The grass oval is set ablaze at this time every year to quickly and efficiently remove dead cover off the surface’s top player. The burn also drives nutrients deeper into the ground to … Continue reading Colonial Downs Conducts Annual Controlled Burn of Secretariat Turf Course on March 18 →

Rosie’s Gaming to be Open 24 Hours After Hampton City Council Vote

The following article appeared on WTKR’s website and was written by Leondra Head. Colonial Downs currently has Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums open in Hampton, New Kent, Richmond, Emporia, Vinton, Collinsville and Dumfries. Horse race wagers can also be placed at VA-Horseplay OTBs in Chesapeake (Buckets Bar & Grill) and in Henrico (Breakers Sports Grille). A new … Continue reading Rosie’s Gaming to be Open 24 Hours After Hampton City Council Vote →

Clarke County Horse Breeder, Trainer Named to Virginia Racing Commission

The following piece was written by Mickey Powell of The Winchester Star and appeared February 24. BERRYVILLE — Horses develop close emotional bonds with humans who show care and concern for them, Jill Gordon-Moore has realized. “They’re special, beautiful animals” that are extremely smart, she said. “If you treat them honestly, they’ll treat you honestly.” Gordon-Moore, … Continue reading Clarke County Horse Breeder, Trainer Named to Virginia Racing Commission →