Colonial Downs Track News

Strawberry Hill Races Reinvigorates Tradition with Colonial Downs Partnership

January 30, 2012
80th anniversary brings more horse racing, affordable prices, and new ways to enjoy a favorite Central Virginia event.

Colonial Downs Announces 2012 Fall Harness Schedule

January 19, 2012
The Virginia Racing Commission awarded 2012 fall harness racing dates to Colonial Downs at its regular monthly meeting this past Tuesday.

Colonial Downs Announces 2012 Summer Stakes Lineup

January 11, 2012
Colonial Downs announced its 2012 stakes lineup today and it is highlighted by the 15th running of the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II).

Colonial Downs To Install Turf Lights in Time for 2012 Summer Race Season

December 22, 2011
Stay up-to-date with photos and details as we install lights on the Secretariat turf course.

2012 Virginia Derby Party Tickets Now on Sale

November 28, 2011
Just in time for the holiday gift giving season, 2012 Virginia Derby Party Tix are ow on sale wioth special early bird bonuses!

Churchill Downs: Homeister returns to saddle as mother

November 8, 2011
Rosemary Homeister Jr., the second-leading female jockey all time in North America, will ride her first race since she became a mother when she climbs aboard Huxley Winner in the ninth race Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Two Year Old Champ Itrustyou Returns to Win Three Year Old Colt/Gelding Pacing Title Saturday in $368,000 �Day of Champions"

November 5, 2011
Itrustyou, the 2010 Virginia-bred two year old colt/gelding pacing champ, returned to the Commonwealth and captured the $44,400 three year old division in a new life mark Saturday afternoon in the $368,000 "Day of Champions" program at Colonial Downs.

Colonial Downs To Close Out 2011 Racing Season This Saturday with $368,800 Virginia Harness “Day of Champions” Card

November 3, 2011
Colonial Downs will host its annual $368,800 Virginia Harness “Day of Champions” program on Saturday November 5th, when eight divisional championships featuring Virginia-bred two and three year old pacers and trotters will be decided.

13 Year Old Tattler’s Jet Captures His 110th Career Win Wednesday at Colonial Downs

November 2, 2011
Thirteen year old Tattler’s Jet, who scored a 1:49 2/5 winning mile at Colonial Downs last fall, won for the 110th time in his 417th career start Wednesday afternoon as the “work horse” continues to roll back the clock in his twilight years.

Rain/Unsafe Track Conditions Force Cancellation of Six Races Saturday Afternoon at Colonial Downs

October 29, 2011
Colonial Downs cancelled the balance of Saturday’s afternoon harness program after the fourth race had been run, courtesy of a steady rain that pounded Central Virginia during the overnite and morning hours that eventually caused unsafe racing condition

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BloodHorse Featured News

Happy Holidays from Blood-Horse Publications

Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:30:08 GMT
The offices of Blood-Horse Publications will be closed Dec. 24-25. There will be no daily e-newsletters sent for Dec. 25 and Dec. 26.

A. U. Miner DQ'd from Greenwood Cup Win

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:40:34 GMT
A.U. Miner, who earned a second automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. II) by virtue of winning the Greenwood Cup at Parx Racing, has been disqualified from the first-place purse earned in that July 16 victory.

Blog: Keystone Kops

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:47:13 GMT
Thoroughbred racehorses require some basic care -- food, water, a clean environment, regular exercise, and veterinary care.

Lyric of Light Rallies for Fillies' Mile Win

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:22:34 GMT
Lyric of Light reeled in a gallant Samitar in the final strides to capture the $234,000 Shadwell Fillies' Mile (Eng-I) by a short head at Newmarket Sept. 23.

Caleb's Posse Nails Uncle Mo in King's Bishop

Sat, 27 Aug 2011 22:09:23 GMT
Caleb's Posse came roaring down the lane and edged champion Uncle Mo by the narrowest of margins to win a thrilling edition of the $250,000 King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 27 at Saratoga.

'Aiken' for Thoroughbreds - By Adam Spradling

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:02:04 GMT
Corinne Ashton is a world class, four-star eventer and now Grand Prix dressage hopeful...and my first official riding lesson was with her. Hear about how she trains Thoroughbreds, whom a few are OTTB's

Four U.S. Horses Attract Attention in Dubai

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 22:32:28 GMT
Of all the 13 American-based horses that traveled to the $26-million Dubai World Cup program, Fly Down, Victor's Cry, Champ Pegasus and I Want Revenge are among those who are the most eye-catching.

Quarantine Lifted at Gulfstream

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 23:27:45 GMT
Gulfstream lifts quarantine after horse tests negative for EHV-1.

Pleasant Tap Dies

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:39:56 GMT
Champion racehorse and successful sire Pleasant Tap was euthanized Oct. 8 due to laminitis at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.

Here Comes Ben Pulls Forego Upset

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:57:02 GMT
In a star-studded field that included some of the biggest name sprinters on the East Coast, it was little-known Here Comes Ben that came from off the pace to spring a 9-1 upset in the $250,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 4.

Breeder/Owner George Steinbrenner Dies

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:25:57 GMT
New York Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, a major breeder/owner, died the morning of July 13 in Tampa following a heart attack.

Uptowncharlybrown Owners Appeal Belmont DQ

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:03:20 GMT
Fantasy Lane Stable has filed an appeal regarding the disqualification of Uptowncharlybrown.

Oak Tree Eyes Del Mar as Future Home

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:46:54 GMT
A day after the Oak Tree Racing Association received a one-year reprieve from its landlord at Santa Anita Park, its executive vice president said he's working on a long-term lease arrangement for the autumn meet at Del Mar.

NJ Breeders Simply Hoping Monmouth Plan Works

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:23:17 GMT
Thoroughbred breeders and owners in New Jersey hope a new summer format at Monmouth Park is successful, but they also are concerned about whether it will have a long-term positive effect.

Rolling Out a New Homepage

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:37:13 GMT
If you're reading this blog, then you've most likely been randomly selected to preview the new BloodHorse.com homepage.

Major Hurdle Coming Up For Kip Deville

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:36:00 GMT
Kip Deville, who has been battling laminitis at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington, will have to pass a critical stage in the next two weeks if he is to have much chance of surviving.

Feb. 1 Deadline to Make Attempt to Name Foals

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:55:32 GMT
The Jockey Club announced Dec. 23 that it has published on the registry's Web site a list of 40,263 names released from active use to aid owners and breeders make a a valid attempt to name foals of 2008 by Feb. 1.

Five Questions: Al Stall Jr.

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:56:26 GMT
We caught up with trainer Al Stall Jr. Dec. 14 as his last training set of the day went out and asked him five questions.

Prominent Sire El Prado Dead

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:04:51 GMT
Irish-bred El Prado, the horse that inspired Frank Stronach to get involved in the stallion business, died of an apparent heart attack in his paddock at Adena Springs near Paris, Ky. the morning of Sept. 21.

Major Sire Gone West Euthanized

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:01:43 GMT
Gone West, who carved out a successful branch of the Mr. Prospector sire line all his own as the sire of 98 stakes winners, was euthanized the night of Sept. 7 because of complications following colic surgery.

Icon Project Runs Smasher in Personal Ensign

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:37:53 GMT
Favored Icon Project, ridden by Julien Leparoux, demolished her rivals with a Rachel Alexandra-type performance Aug. 30 in the $400,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race course.

Summer Bird Takes Flight in Travers Victory

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 22:03:48 GMT
Summer Bird continued his meteoric rise to the top of the nation's 3-year-old ranks, as he rolled through the slop for an easy 3 1/2-length score in the $1-million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

Gulfstream Trying to Attract Rachel, Others

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:00:08 GMT
Gulfstream Park has waved the nomination fees for grade I winners Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, and Quality Road to next year's Donn Handicap.

Bullsbay Scores Huge Upset in Whitney

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:05:03 GMT
The longest shot in a field of six, 18-1 Bullsbay pulled a shocking upset in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga, splitting horses on the turn and pulling away for a 1 1/2-length score under Jeremy Rose.

Gio Ponti Much the Best in Arlington Million

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:59:36 GMT
Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) under Ramon Dominguez.

Harness Link Featured News

Ray Cotolo says - Why pick a home track?

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:36:00 GMT
On an average day at the track, I hear the hollering of harness racing bettors rooting their horses to the finish.

Kindergarten Classic Series to be expanded

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:46:00 GMT
The Kindergarten Classic series for 2YO harness racing trotters has risen steadily in popularity over its five year history.

Bertos Angel goes wire to wire in Open Trot

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:31:00 GMT
Bertos Angel, a five-year old Ken Warkentin mare, out of the Incredible Abe mare Spark Of Abbey, won the $10,000 Open Trot in a seasons best 2:00.4, for harness racing owner, Scott D. Woogen of Mechanicsville,VA, here at Buffalo Raceway Friday night (February 3).

The Hunter Cup high achievers strike again

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:51:00 GMT
New Zealand's all-conquering Butt brothers affirmed their affinity with the Del Re National Food Group A.G. Hunter Cup (3280m) when they combined to win the 2012 edition of the $425,000 harness racing Group 1 with Choise Achiever.

Scandalous Derby success for Scandalman

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:42:00 GMT
Jimmy Douglass has more to thank Ian Wilson for than just his biggest ever win in the $200,000 Alabar Victoria Derby at Melton on Saturday night. He owes him the better part of his harness racing career.

I Can Doosit unique in harness racing history

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:26:00 GMT
Star Kiwi gelding I Can Doosit assumed what will forever remain a unique place in harness racing history with his sprint-lane win in tonight's Inter Dominion Trotting Championship finale at Melton's Tabcorp Park.

Catalogues ready for WA Inter Yearling sale

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:19:00 GMT
Catalogues for the 2012 harness racing Inter Dominion Yearling Sale, to be conducted by Gloucester Standardbreds at the Belmont Sales Complex on Sunday, February 26, are now available. The first of 110 lots will go under the hammer at 5.30pm. The sale will be preceded by a yearling parade at 12 noon.

Marlin Hanover rates the best at Cal Expo

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:44:00 GMT
Getting a middle-half breather after getting stung early saw Marlin Hanover get a three-peat. Winners-Over harness racing pacers, racing for a $4,500 purse, were featured at Cal Expo on Friday night (February 3), on which Marlin Hanover was solid again.

13 years later, Frank Glessner wins again

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:26:00 GMT
Any win in harness racing feels good, but Frank Glessner's win Friday at The Meadows was especially sweet. When he guided Maveric Hanover home in a NW1 trot, it was his first winning drive since March 9, 1999, a period of nearly 13 years.

Sir Lincoln stunning & far too good in Cup

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:22:00 GMT
Canterbury harness racing fans got to see the very best of the Ray Green trained Sir Lincoln at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting held at Addington Raceway today (Saturday).

Watch the Hunter Cup live on Harnesslink

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:58:00 GMT
Harnesslink will be streaming the video feed of the Tabcorp Park Melton race night tonight (Saturday 4th February). The line up features the Gr.1 $425,000 Del-Re National Food Group A G Hunter Cup in which $2.30 fixed odds favourite Auckland Reactor attempts to right his less then stellar Australian record.

Reinsman Doug McNair doubles up in HPI

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:34:00 GMT
Harness racing driver Doug McNair made the most of his trip to Woodbine Racetrack on Friday evening as the young reinsman captured two of four divisions of the opening leg of the $20,000 HorsePlayer Interactive Series (HPI).

Itrustyou extends winning streak in Exit 16W

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:28:00 GMT
Itrustyou extended his winning streak to eleven races as he prevailed over Special T Rocks in the $18,000 opening round of the harness racing Exit 16W on Friday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Winter stake action continues - Meadowlands

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:55:00 GMT
On Friday, February 3, the Meadowlands featured the opening legs of the $72,000 Exit 16W and the $70,000 Cape & Cutter. Harness racing trainer Daryl Bier took the first 'Cutter' at the light of the wire with Higher And Higher in 1:52.1.

Three drivers drive triples - woodbine videos

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:42:00 GMT
Harness racing drivers Doug Mcnair, Randy Waples and Jody Jamieson all drove three winners each on tonight's program at Woodbine raceway Friday the 3rd of February.

Quicksilvercandy A, Rose Run Hooligan win

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:37:00 GMT
Quicksilvercandy A (Larry Stalbaum) was farthest out and fastest home Friday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's harness racing co-featured $33,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Dover latest news and updates for Friday 4th

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:31:00 GMT
An outstanding January of good weather was highlighted by several harness racing season records during the month. Broadies Song becomes the fastest gelding of early 2012 over a five-eighths mile oval, winning the $30,000 Preferred pace with a 1:50 mile on Monday, Jan. 30.

Carabella beats Bettor Cover Lover, Again!

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:30:00 GMT
Fabulous harness racing mare Carabella went into today's Group One feature at Addington Raceway with a better draw than her arch rival Bettor Cover Lover which was forced to cover extra ground during the running of the $100,000 PGG Wrightson Breeders Stakes held in Christchurch today (Saturday February 4th).

Controversy in $200,000 sales series final

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:23:00 GMT
Controversy surrounded the running of the $200,000 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales Series Championship for harness racing three year old fillies at Addington Raceway today(Saturday February 4th) with the first horse past the post losing the race in the inquiry room.

San Pail & Darry Kaplan win national awards

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:17:00 GMT
Harness racing star San Pail, Canada's Horse of the Year for 2011, and Trot Magazine editor Darryl Kaplan were honoured for their 2011 accomplishments, and presented with national awards from Equine Canada earlier this evening.