A Familiar Ring
Shenandoah Downs LogoEverything about Shenandoah Downs seems familiar, the name, the location but neither are the original. It is about 53 miles Southwest of the original Shenandoah Downs, once a thoroughbred track in Charles Town, West Virginia. It is not the location of the Woodstock Concert of the sixties, but neither was Woodstock, New York. It has been around for years, but has recently adopted pari mutual wagering.
Fall Harness MeetNon betting racing had been held at The Shenandoah County Fairgrounds for 98 years, before a $700,000 renovation in 2016, which allowed it to conduct pari mutual wagering. Shenandoah Downs half mile oval is a better fan experience than race goers had when harness racing was held at Colonial Downs. The latter has reopened, but only for thoroughbreds, making Shenandoah Downs the only standardbred venue in the Virginia's. If your looking for a little what goes around comes around, the first Shenandoah Downs was built to host harness racing but never got State approval and had to run thoroughbreds.
Racing is held in the fall, over five weekends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The track features a small country fair grandstand and at least for now you can only bet on live racing. Where have you seen that lately?