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The $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs June 18 is now open to older turf horses -- one of several changes for the 2011 summer meet at Colonial Downs.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011The Virginia Racing Commission March 22 announced Bernard "Bernie" Hettel as its new executive director effective April 1.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Opening day at Colonial Downs comes a week earlier this year when live racing returns June 5. The following day, Colonial Downs will be open for the first time ever on the same day as a Triple Crown race, the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, June 01, 2009
After running the longest Thoroughbred meet in its 12-year history at 45 days, officials with Colonial Downs Dec. 17 proposed a 25-day meet in 2009.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Colonial Downs may be looking for a manager to operate its live Thoroughbred and harness meet after releasing general manager Iain Woolnough Nov. 10. It also closed one of its nine off-track betting parlors in Virginia.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Many racing officials at Colonial Downs, weary of Central Virginia downpours, may have to pardon trainer James Toner if he does a rain dance Saturday morning before the $750,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT). His trainee, Sailor's Cap, will attempt to defeat eight others in the 1 1/4-mile contest for 3-year-olds on the turf.
Monday, July 14, 2008
When everyone at Colonial Downs was looking for shelter or an umbrella they should have been looking for a Sailor's Cap in the $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT).
Saturday, June 21, 2008
There are four stakes races on Colonial Downs' Turf Cup card June 14, but a race earlier in the day will have many closely watching as well.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Ten colts hope to make it to "first base" June 21 at Colonial Downs with the fourth running of the $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT). The 1 1/16-race is the first leg of the $5-million Jacobs Investments Grand Slam of Grass.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Colonial Downs in Virginia is prepared for a rather hot start to its 2008 meet, which gets under way the evening of June 9.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Seeking overall growth in horse racing, the Virginia Racing Commission Dec. 19 extended Colonial Downs' request for 40 days of live Thoroughbred racing to 45 for 2008.
Thursday, December 20, 2007The handle at Colonial Downs increased a bit over its 2006 mark, while a moderate summer helped boost attendance at the central Virginia track, which concluded its 11th season of racing on Aug. 7.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Summer Doldrums will have more than a rubber match with Strike a Deal when the two meet in the $1-million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 21 at Colonial Downs. Not only will Summer Doldrums' trainer Rick Violette see his archrival, he will see the faces of past race victors.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
With a devastating late move, Silver Charades upset the $200,000 All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) for fillies and mares going nine furlongs over the turf Saturday at Colonial Downs.
Saturday, June 16, 2007Summer Doldrums turned the tables on his rival Strike A Deal, winning the $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs by a head.
Saturday, June 16, 2007When racing officials at Colonial Downs added the $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) to their stakes schedule to create the Jacobs Investments $5 million "Grand Slam of Grass," they envisioned attracting strong interest from international horses.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007Colonial Downs has an agreement in place with CBS to nationally televise the 10th running of the $1-million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT). The one-hour broadcast begins at 5 p.m. (EST) July 21st with post time for the Virginia Derby set for 5:44 p.m.
Friday, June 01, 2007Eight graded stakes winners are among the 78 early nominations for $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs on June 16.
Monday, May 28, 2007A pair of grade I winners -- undefeated Vacare and Wait A While -- are among 55 early nominations for the the $200,000 All Along Breeders' Cup (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs June 16.
Saturday, May 19, 2007Members of the Virginia Racing Commission acted on a wide range of issues at their monthly meeting May 16, including the implementation of testing for race day steroid levels and the reversion of an apprentice jockey license.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007An application by twinspires.com, the new Churchill Downs Inc.-owned account wagering service, was approved by the Virginia Racing Commission.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007Instant Racing bill rejected by Virginia House. Conference committee could take up but session ends Feb. 24.
Friday, February 23, 2007Legislation that would allow Colonial Downs to offer Instant Racing has been attached to a bill dealing with account wagering issues and is headed to the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates. Virginia's General Assembly's session ends Feb. 24.
Thursday, February 22, 2007A bill that would allow Instant Racing as a means of funding for transportation and purses in Virginia is on the also-eligible's list hoping to make the field. Members of the Virginia House Committee on General Laws tabled the bill by voice vote Feb. 15. The bill could be brought back up in committee prior to Feb. 20. Virginia's General Assembly session ends Feb 24.
Friday, February 16, 2007After gaining approval 23-14 by the Virginia Senate, an Instant Racing bill returns to the Virginia House where a similar bill failed to get out of committee several weeks ago.
Thursday, February 08, 2007Old races may provide new funds to maintain Virginia roads should lawmakers pass a bill that has been re-introduced in the General Assembly. A similar bill that had been submitted during the General Assembly's special transportation session last September was passed over.
Thursday, January 18, 2007A proposed bill on "Instant Racing" could make an instant impact on purse account and potholes in Virginia.
Thursday, September 21, 2006In a collaborative initiative to expand advance deposit account wagering, Colonial Downs has teamed up with Chevy's Restaurant and Night Club in Chesapeake, Va., to promote new wagering technology that could be the horse racing's equivalent to video poker and bar trivia.
Saturday, September 02, 2006Though on-track numbers were down at Colonial Downs, the Virginia racetrack reported gains in off-track business for its 41-day meet that ended Aug. 12.
Monday, August 14, 2006After 30 days of live racing, handle and attendance for Colonial Downs' Thoroughbred meet is mixed. Average daily handle on live racing at Colonial Downs is $1,224,667, up 16% over the same period last year.
Thursday, July 27, 2006Peter Vegso's homebred Go Between won the 9th running of the $1 million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) setting a track record of 1:59 3/5 and becoming only the second horse in the history of the 1 1/4-mile turf race to stop the clock in under two minutes.
Saturday, July 15, 2006Although the winner of the $1 million Colonial Turf Cup isn't "showing up" for Saturday's $1 million Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs, the field includes plenty in its 12-horse field including two Triple Crown starters and four Turf Cup returnees.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006At the conclusion of Colonial Downs' second full week of racing, overall handle at the central Virginia racetrack is up 18.36% over the same period last year.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006Former basketball standout Bobby Hurley hopes his 3-year-old colt Stream Cat can do what many of his Duke squads didn't: win in Virginia.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006A full field of 14 horses is scheduled to start in the $1 million Colonial Turf Cup, the first leg of the $5 million Jacob Investments "Grand Slam of Grass." With a total of 17 entries, three horses are listed as also-eligible for the turf race for 3-year olds, should there be any defections.
Monday, June 19, 2006Jockey Ryan Fogelsonger collected his 1,000th career win Sunday at Colonial Downs when he guided the maiden Glenwood Ace to victory.
Sunday, June 18, 2006While preparations are being made for the 2007 celebration commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Colonial Downs officials are looking forward to experiencing their own "new world" this summer when the Virginia racetrack opens for live racing June 16.
Thursday, June 15, 2006Colonial Downs' early closing of their twin million dollar 3-year old turf races -- the Colonial Turf Cup and the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) --have drawn 107 nominations, including Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat and Steppenwolfer, top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presneted by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, May 18, 2006The Virginia Racing Commission approved Colonial Downs' request for 2006 racing dates at the monthly meeting Wednesday at the Meadow Manor House located on the Meadow Farm, birthplace of 1973 Triple Crown winner, Secretariat.
Thursday, November 17, 2005Colonial Downs will continue with its plan to gradually add more Thoroughbred racing dates, having asked the Virginia Racing Commission for 42 days in 2006, two more than this year and eight more than 2004.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005The purchase of the Maryland-Virginia Racing Circuit was approved at a special meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission Sept. 28. The management entity of Colonial Downs was purchased for $10 million by Colonial Downs from the Maryland Jockey Club which is owned by Magna Entertainment.
Friday, September 30, 2005With a photo of Secretariat's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) win hanging on the Caroline County Community Center wall beside a Virginia General Assembly resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of his Triple Crown, it may have been thought that the decision to relocate the Virginia state fair to where he was foaled, Meadow Farm, would have been a sure thing. Not so.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005Members of the Virginia Racing Commission want more time and expertise to review the effects the $10 million purchase of the Maryland-Virginia Racing Circuit by Colonial Downs, LP, may have.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005Plans are being finalized to relocate the State Fair of Virginia to Meadow Farm, birthplace of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005By winning the first two legs of the inaugural Grand Slam of Grass, English Channel has instantaneously brought to life a demanding turf series that many thought far-fetched when it was first announced. The bonus series guarantees a $5 million payout to the exceptional horse that can sweep the four races.
Friday, August 12, 2005Well over $40 million was wagered in the 40 days of live racing at Colonial Downs during the 2005 summer meet that concluded on Aug. 9.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005Emanuel Sanchez, a 22-year-old apprentice rider at Colonial Downs, died on Saturday morning at Bon Secour Community Hospital in Richmond.
Saturday, July 23, 2005John Velazquez mirrored tactics used in his Colonial Turf Cup win three weeks ago in Saturday's $750,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIIT) and produced the same result. With a 3 1/4-length romp, trainer Todd Pletcher's turf standout now has captured two legs of the $5 million Grand Slam of Grass.
Saturday, July 16, 2005Lightning is landing in the Kent area during a stormy weekend at Colonial Downs where My Typhoon prevailed by a neck over Masseuse in the $200,000 Virginia Oaks.
Saturday, July 16, 2005People at Colonial Downs have joked for years that it is one of a few tracks in the country where racing could be pulled off the dirt to the turf. On one of its biggest racing days in its history Saturday, it actually happened.
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