Thoroughbred Racing’s Triple Crown Series returns to its normal date pattern this year after a 2020 season that saw Covid-related issues force the Kentucky Derby and Preakness to run in fall, and without spectators. The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Series May 1, followed by the Preakness on May 15 and the Belmont on June […]
Read MoreMARCH 31, 2021 – The highly popular Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships (MATCH) Series, which was forced to go on hiatus in 2020 because of regional COVID-19 restrictions, will return this year under a two-state schedule put together by horsemen and racetracks in Maryland and Virginia to bridge the gap until the full Series is restored in […]
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What are the odds that two Virginia-based horse owners could see their charges square off against each other — in Dubai? The longshot proposition will indeed happen when Larry Johnson’s True Valour and David Ross’s Extravagant Kid compete in Saturday’s (March 27) $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Raceourse in Dubai. The six-furlong straight […]
Read MoreBy Frank Vespedate March 22, 2021 We’re still months away from the 2021 Colonial Downs race meet, but one thing we know is that trainer Mike Stidham, the leading trainer at the “new” Colonial, is planning to race there. Stidham confirmed that he would have a string at Colonial during an interview on Off to […]
Read MoreTickets on Sale Monday for Meet Beginning July 19 General Admission Remains Free Live racing returns to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County in July, August and September with premium tickets going on sale Monday, March 15. General admission and parking are free. The best thoroughbred horses and trainers from around the country will […]
Read MoreSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 $400,000 Risen Star Stakes at Fairgrounds MONDAY FEBRUARY 15 $750,000 Southwest Stakes (Gr. 3) at Oaklawn SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27 $300,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. 2) at Gulfstream SATURDAY, MARCH 6 $300,000 Gotham Stakes (Gr. 3) at Aqueduct $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (Gr. 2) at Santa Anita $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Gr. […]
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There are three types of pari-mutuel horse races that take place in Virginia — thoroughbred/flat racing at Colonial Downs in New Kent, standardbred/harness racing at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, and steeplechase/jump racing at Great Meadow. And there are a dozen other venues that host non-wagering steeplechase and point-to-point events throughout the year. A horse is […]
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Dates for the 2021 thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs were approved yesterday by the Virginia Racing Commission at its quarterly meeting, which was held virtually. The seven-week campaign will run from July 19 – September 1 with racing scheduled every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Now in its third season under ownership of the […]
Read Moreby Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association | 11.11.2020 | 4:57pm COVID-19 forced Thoroughbred racing into what was for most a two-month hiatus, but the stakeholders in the Mid Atlantic turned the down time into an opportunity to focus on its Strategic Plan to Reduce Equine Fatalities. Regulators, racetracks, horsemen’s and breeders’ groups representing all seven states in the region – […]
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Extravagant Kid wins the 2019 Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs. Photo by Coady Photography. (NEW KENT, VA — 11/2/2020) —- When Extravagant Kid breaks out of the starting gate in the $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland this Saturday, it will be the second “Cup” start ever for David Ross, who is […]
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(NEW KENT, VA — 11/1/2020) —- Colonial Downs’ VP of Racing Operations Jill Byrne will host the prestigious Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), held virtually this year, on Thursday November 5 at 12 Noon. Now in its fifth year in the U.S., the ceremony recognizes and rewards outstanding talent, diligence and commitment of the farm […]
Read MoreFans can wager the Breeders’ Cup races at any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Richmond, New Kent, Vinton and Hampton, at any VA-Horseplay OTB in Henrico (Breaker’s Sports Grille), Chesapeake (Buckets Bar & Grill) and Collinsville (The Windmill OTB Sports Grill), and online via TVG.com, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com and NYRABets.com. The Breeders’ Cup on Wednesday revealed the official order […]
Read MoreColonial Downs Group places the health and safety of our team, partners and visitors as our top priority. We established thorough protocols prior to the 2020 racing season to address any issues that may arise from the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of recent test results at the track in New Kent County, and in […]
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Rebecca Grace LaBarre congratulates Bay Bridge with a kiss after Monday’s fifth race. Photo supplied by Colonial Downs. Rebecca Grace LaBarre at Colonial Downs. Photo supplied by Colonial Downs. Rebecca Grace LaBarre may be an apprentice jockey and may be competing at Colonial Downs for the first time ever, but she has […]
Read MoreRaces tonight (Wednesday) at Colonial Downs will be taken off the turf and held over the dirt track, and post time has been moved up to 5:00 PM from its originally scheduled 5:30 PM start time. Seven of the nine races were scheduled to be run over Colonial’s Secretariat Turf Course — the second, and […]
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Due to heavy rain from last night’s (Monday) tropical storm, the race program scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 at Colonial Downs has been cancelled. The card will be made up on Sunday, August 9 at 5:30 PM. Horsemen will need to re-enter horses for that Sunday card on Wednesday, August 5. The race office will […]
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Jockey Trevor McCarthy reached the winners circle five times Sunday evening at Colonial Downs and in doing so, powered past Forest Boyce to take over top spot in the track’s rider standings. The 26-year-old native of Wilmington, Delaware won the jockey title at Colonial last year as the New Kent track returned to action after […]
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What the Beep pulled off an upset with a one-length victory over heavy favorite Tan and Tight in the $60,000 Camptown Stakes for Virginia-bred or -sired fillies and mares. The homebred daughter of Great Notion was ridden by Forest Boyce for trainer Karen Godsey who bred and broke the 5-year-old mare on her Eagle Point […]
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Guillaume rallied on the outside and overtook Merchant of Hope in the final strides of the $40,000 Hansel Stakes for Virginia Certified 2-year-olds on the Tuesday night opening night card at Colonial Downs. The son of Hard Spun is owned by DARRS Inc., trained by Mike Stidham and was ridden by Trevor McCarthy, the same […]
Read MoreColonial Downs’ rescheduled opening night, nine-race program will still go on as planned Tuesday, July 28, but post time has been pushed back one hour. The first race will begin at 6:30 PM instead of 5:30 PM. Wagering on the ‘spectator-free” program is available at all four Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums, at VA-Horseplay Off Track Betting […]
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