March 26, 2008
Volume 2, Issue 5
Dubai World Cup/Florida Derby
 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin looks to burnish his already daunting resume with a win against the best in the world Saturday March 29 in the $6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (gr. I) at Nad al Sheba.
Curlin would have a legitimate shot at Cigar’s all-time earnings record with a win Saturday. The Smart Strike colt has banked $5.1 million thus far and the Dubai World Cup’s $3.6 million winner’s share would leave him just $1.2 million short of the legend.
Standing in Curlin’s way is a large and talented 13-horse field. Jalil represents the home team and is the likely second choice. The blue-blooded $9.7 yearling purchase looked like yet another pricey bust early in his career but, like Cigar himself, has blossomed when switched to the dirt as a four-year-old. The Storm Cat colt is undefeated on dirt and owns three wins at Nad al Sheba. Asatic Boy is another Nad al Sheba specialist, having notched six wins over the track including a tour de force in last year’s UAE Derby. Grade I winner Premium Tap is back after a solid second to Invasor in last year’s World Cup.
The Dubai World Cup will go off at 1:30 p.m. eastern time. Two other rich stakes from Nad al Sheba will be available at Colonial Downs OTB’s – the $5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (gr. I), featuring Better Talk Now, and the $5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (gr. I), which kicks things off at 11:55 a.m.
There are also several rich races from Dubai that will be run before the OTB’s open. You can watch and wager on the $2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (gr. I), the $2,000,000 UAE Derby (gr. I) and the $1,000,000 Goldolphin Mile (gr. I) with E Z Horseplay, Colonial Downs’ account wagering service. Visit www.ezhorseplay.com or call 1-877-601-8854 to sign up today!
Closer to home, the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) is the richest Kentucky Derby yet. It features a full and utterly fascinating field pitting established stakes horses like Fierce Wind, Elysium Fields and Smooth Air against ultra-impressive allowance winners like Big Brown, Hey Byrn and Face the Cat. Add in a dash of foreign intrigue with Peruvian champion Tomcito making his stateside debut and a pinch of enigma in the form of the talented but inconsistent Majestic Warrior.
Big Brown is clearly the buzz horse of this Triple Crown season and the morning line favorite for the Florida Derby. He’s only run twice but both were the kind of effortless double-digit length demolitions that inspire Derby Dreams.
The Florida Derby kicks of a furious round of Derby preps. April 5 features the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct and the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) at Hawthorne. Another Derby prep trifecta follows on April 12 with the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn and the $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream.
Trackman Tour Comes to Scott County OTB
 Colonial Downs’ “Trackmen Tour,” featuring Horse Course 101 sessions, giveaways and a plethora of specials, will roll into Scott County on Friday March 28 for a two-day stay. Don’t miss the free Trackmen Tipsheet at all nine OTB’s and online at www.colonialdowns.com.
The Horse Course 101 sessions will provide horse racing fans with the opportunity to learn more about the sport from the experts. It will be hosted by Colonial Downs on-air handicapper “Derby Bill” Watson, Colonial Downs Director of Fan Education Tom Cade, Peter Kreutzer and Jerry Townsend. Horse Course 101 sessions will be offered at 2 PM, 5 PM and 8 PM and are free to attend.
On Friday March 28 longtime harness owner and trainer B.L. Conway will give a free harness racing seminar from 6:00-7:00 PM. Conway is a resident of nearby Abingdon, VA and has won several rich Virginia Breeders Finals at Colonial Downs.
On Saturday March 29, in addition to the Trackmen Tour Horse Course 101 sessions at 2 PM, 5 PM and 8 PM, there will be:
- Free Customer Appreciation Subway buffet from 1-4 PM! Enjoy a sub, chips and drink on us!
- Spin the Colonial Downs Prize Wheel for a chance to win Colonial Downs T-Shirts, Travel Mugs and Baseball Caps!
- Betting voucher drawings!
- Free “Trackmen Tour Cake”
More Great Pay-Per-Views coming to Martinsville and Vinton
See Wrestlemania 24 live at the Martinsville OTB on Sunday March 30! There are nine great matches starting at 7 PM, following a whole afternoon of exciting horse racing.
A few weeks later the Ultimate Fighting Championship Pay-Per-View returns to Vinton on Saturday April 19, starting at 10 PM!
great seat!
Win Virginia Derby Party Tickets in FREE Online Handicapping Contest
 Colonial Downs is hosting a new free month-long online handicapping contest starting Saturday April 5. The winner will receive two free Virginia Derby Trackside Party tickets for the 11th running of the $750,000 Virginia Derby (gr. II) on Saturday July 19, 2008!
We’ll continue the exotics format that was so much fun in March but instead of hosting at one track each week, we’ll spread it around the country to follow the best racing each week. It will start at Santa Anita on April 5 for the Santa Anita Derby, move to Hot Springs for the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 12, visit Keeneland for the Lexington Stakes on the 19th and finish up with the opening day card at Churchill April 26.
Sign-up before Saturday to participate in all four weeks!
Live Racing is Just Around the Corner
Spring is finally here and we’re just over two months from live racing on the Secretariat Turf Course!
Horses will return for the first time since November on Saturday April 12 for the Strawberry Hill Races. Then preparations for the longest ever Colonial thoroughbred meet will begin in earnest when the barn area opens on May 10.
Opening Day is Monday June 9 and seats are going fast for opening weekend festivities. Our promotional calendar is chock full this summer and opening weekend is filled with a great Colonial Downs calendar giveaway on Saturday June 14 and a Father’s Day Celebration on June 15 complete with Colonial Downs hat giveaway!
Don’t forget to make your reservations soon by calling (804) 966-7223, ext. 1032 or visiting our online store for your Virginia Derby tickets!
Check out the new “Picnic on the Turn” area for the July 19 Virginia Derby – a fun picnic area with a unique view of the big race for just $10. Bring your own food, favorite chair and a bunch of friends for the festivities!
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