BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Colonial to Move Lights for Night Turf Racing

Relocation of its lighting system will allow Colonial Downs to offer nighttime turf races as part of its new schedule in 2012.

Schedule Changes Benefit Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs credits a shortened race week and revised Saturday post time for increases in average daily attendance and wagering during the 32-day meet that ended July 31.

An Excited Virginia Oaks Victory

Michael Tabor's Excited stalked the pace before taking control nearing the eighth pole and edged away for a half-length victory in the Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs July 16.

Dynamic Holiday Seeks Dynamic VA Oaks Run

Dynamic Holiday has been on a roll in her last four starts, and she is looking to carry over her win streak into her first start at Colonial Downs in the July 16 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT).

Rahystrada, Aruna Big Winners at Colonial

Rahystrada won the Colonial Turf Cup and Aruna won the Edward P. Evans All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs in Virginia June 18.

Colonial Turf Cup Attracts Older Crowd

The Colonial Turf Cup, opened up this year to competitors of all ages, attracted a field of eight to Colonial Downs for the $500,000 event to be held the evening of June 18.

Colonial Meet to Begin With Large Turf Fields

If entries for the first two programs are any indication, Colonial Downs in Virginia should have a strong meet from a wagering perspective. Entries total 231 horses for the first two days.

Colonial Turf Cup Loses Graded Status

The decision by Colonial Downs to allow older horses to compete in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes will result in the race losing its grade II status for 2011.

Changes in Store for 2011 Colonial Meet

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.

Hettel Named to VA Racing Commission Post

The Virginia Racing Commission March 22 announced Bernard "Bernie" Hettel as its new executive director effective April 1.

Colonial All-Source Wagering Up 13.2%

Boosted by a 20% increase in import simulcasting handle, Colonial Downs concluded its 40-day meet July 21 with a 13.2% increase in all-source wagering.

Paddy O'Prado Too Tough In Va. Derby

Paddy O'Prado, a son of El Prado, showed again his top turf form in the July 17 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), brushing to the lead in the stretch and defeating Interactif.

Va. Oaks: Check the Label Impresses Again

Brereton Jones' homebred Check the Label took over approaching the sixteenth-pole and drew clear to win the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) by 2 3/4 lengths July 17 at Colonial Downs.

THS: The Virginia Derby

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs on July 17.

Watch Video

Virginia Derby: Paddy O'Prado the One to Beat

Paddy O'Prado looks to continue his ascent to the top of the 3-year-old ranks when he meets seven rivals in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT). The El Prado colt is the 7-5 morning-line choice.

Paddy O'Prado Rebounds in Colonial Turf Cup

Favored Paddy O'Prado, returning to the turf after a sixth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) last month, swept to an easy three-length win in the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) June 19 at Colonial Downs.

Paddy O'Prado Tops Colonial Turf Cup Field

Paddy O'Prado, third-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), drew the rail as the probable favorite for the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) June 19 at Colonial Downs.

With Distinction Has First U.S. Winner

Graded Stakes winner With Distinction sired his first United States winner when Orakpo broke his maiden on his second try in the fifth race at Colonial Downs June 7.

Colonial Announces Summer Stakes Schedule

Colonial Downs announced its 2010 summer stakes schedule and it again is highlighted by a pair of grade II turf races for 3-year olds -- the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup June 19 and the $600,000 Virginia Derby July 17.

Colonial Downs Amends Racing Schedule in 2010

For the first time in 10 years, Colonial Downs has amended its weekly race schedule, adding Wednesday cards in place of Fridays

'Mixed Breed' Program Set for Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs will host a mixed breed card of horse racing Sept. 13 that includes eight harness races, two steeplechase races, and one Thoroughbred race.

Smith Earns Sixth Training Title at Colonial

Colonial Downs' 40-day summer race meet came to a close the night of July 28, as the leading trainer, owner, jockey, and apprentice rider were all awarded for their successes.

Homeister Becomes Second Leading Female Rider

Jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr. became Thoroughbred racing's second winningest female jockey of all time when she rode Kathleen O'Connell's Gambles List to victory in the third race the evening of July 20 at Colonial Downs.

Blind Date Rallies To Score In Virginia Oaks

William Backer's homebred filly Blind Date came from off the pace to take a short advantage in mid-stretch, then narrowly outdueled Shared Account to win the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) by a head July 18 at Colonial Downs.

Nicanor Favored For Virginia Derby

Battle of Hastings will line up against Nicanor and eight others in the $750,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 18 at Colonial Downs.

TRF Fundraiser Set for Colonial Downs

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River will hold "An Evening in the Winner's Circle" July 17 at Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County. The event is a fundraiser to benefit Greener Pastures at James River, a Second Chances program of the TRF.

Nicanor Among Probables For Virginia Derby

Colonial Downs will hold the post position draw for the 12th running of the $750,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 18 and an impressive list of probable starters is taking shape.

Late Run Earns Winter View All Along Victory

The cutback in distance didn't seem to bother George Strawbridge Jr.'s homebred Winter View, as the daughter of Thunder Gulch came from last at the top of the stretch to run them all down in the $150,000 All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 20 on the Colonial Downs turf.

Lime Rickey's Turn in Colonial Turf Cup?

There is no doubt in the mind of Frank Alexander that Lime Rickey is a stakes-caliber type of horse. One of these days, perhaps in the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) on June 13, the son of Lemon Drop Kid will prove it, Alexander said. All he needs is a little bit of racing luck.

Colonial Downs Ready to Launch 2009 Season

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).

Colonial Downs Owner Reports Higher Profits

The owner of Colonial Downs reported May 14 an increased first-quarter profit of $3.1 million, helped by the improved performance of its racing subsidiary.

Turf Stakes Highlight Colonial Downs Season

Colonial Downs will host 17 stakes races, including a pair of grade II turf stakes, during the 2009 summer Thoroughbred meet which runs from June 5 â€" July 28. A total of $2.2 million will be doled out in stakes purses over the eight week, 40 day season.

Colonial Downs Owner Hurt by MTR Gaming

The owner of Colonial Downs reported it lost $4.1 million during 2008, due in part to its investment in MTR Gaming Group, it was reported March 18.

Colonial Sets Summer Racing Schedule

Colonial Downs will kick off its 13th annual Thoroughbred racing season June 12 and will continue an eight week, 40-day meet through Aug. 4.

Colonial Requests Much Shorter Meet

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.

Colonial Trims Staff, Closes OTB Parlor

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.

Allen Cracks 200-Win Mark at Colonial

A, Ferris Allen III won two races on Colonial Downs' closing day program Aug. 6 to become the first trainer to win 200 races in Virginia. He also demolished his own single-season record for victories.

MTR Gaming Aims to Reduce Debt

MTR Gaming Inc. has defined as core assets its two Thoroughbred racinos and an Ohio harness track, and will examine sale possibilities of all other properties to reduce debt and raise shareholder value, the company said July 30.

I Lost My Choo Rallies for Virginia Oaks

Flying Zee Stable's homebred I Lost My Choo came flying down the stretch and ran down longtime leader Julia Tuttle in the final strides to take the $200,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) in thrilling fashion July 19 on the Colonial Downs turf.

I Lost My Choo Favored in Virginia Oaks

Flying Zee Stable's homebred I Lost My Choo seeks her fifth victory of the year and the first graded stakes triumph of her young career, as she takes on nine 3-year-old fillies in the $200,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) July 19 on the Colonial Downs turf.

Virginia Derby Full of Familiar Faces

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.

Lady Digby Storms to All Along Victory

With heavy rains and flashing lighting making its way through Colonial Downs, Lady Digby came three-wide into the stretch, overtook pacesetter Eclisse near the eighth-pole and dew clear to win the $200,000 All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) by 2 1/4 lengths.

Riders to Test Crops in Colonial Race

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.

Rutherienne Tops All Along Field

Virginia Kraft Payson's Rutherienne will top a quality field of turf distaffers including Valbenny, Lady Digby,and J'ray, in the $200,000 All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs June 21.

Ten Seek Rich Colonial Turf Cup

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.

Triple-Digit Heat Greets Colonial Meet

Colonial Downs in Virginia is prepared for a rather hot start to its 2008 meet, which gets under way the evening of June 9.

Colonial Downs Signal Blocked to Outlets

The Colonial Downs signal will be barred to at least three wagering outlets for its upcoming live meet. The Virginia racetrack joins the list of tracks whose betting options have been curtailed by disputes with horsemen's groups over revenue sharing.

Picklesimer Joins Colonial Downs Staff

Colonial Downs general manager Iain Woolnough April 9 announced the hiring of Tyler Picklesimer as racing secretary for its upcoming meet.

Track Owner Boosts Stake in MTR Gaming

Jacobs Entertainment Inc. and its affiliates have recently increased their overall stake in MTR Gaming Group, a move that follows a January announcement that the owner of Colonial Downs was shifting its focus towards facilities that feature multiple forms of gaming.

Youbet Settles Lawsuit in Virginia

A federal lawsuit between Youbet.com and several entities associated with Virginia racing has been settled, resulting in a renewed effort by the advance deposit wagering company to become licensed in the state.