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Colonial Owner Wants to Sell to MTR Gaming

The owner of the Colonial Downs in Virginia wants to sell his company to West Virginia-based MTR Gaming Group Inc., in exchange for $144.5 million in MTR stock.

Colonial Downs to Offer 16 Stakes in 2013

Colonial Downs will offer $1,755,000 in purse money for its 16 stakes in 2013. The meet is highlighted by the 16th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT).

Colonial Downs to Hold 25-Day Meet in 2013

Colonial Downs will host a 25-day spring/summer Thoroughbred meet in 2013 from June 8 through July 13 after approval from the Virginia Racing Commission Nov. 7.

Colonial Downs to Host New Steeplechase Event

Steeplechase runners will compete at Colonial Downs as Central Virginia's new spring racing event will kick off in April 2013.

Sterling Show by Silver Max in Virginia Derby

It didn't go as smoothly as planned but odds-on choice Silver Max got the job done anyway in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), registering his sixth consecutive turf win on yielding ground at Colonial Downs July 21.

Volcat Victorious in Virginia Oaks

Volcat found the deep going at Colonial Downs to her liking when she opened up a commanding lead in the stretch and held on for a half-length victory in the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) in New Kent July 21.

Summer Front Skipping Virginia Derby

Waterford Stable's Summer Front will run in the $100,000 Duluth Stakes at Saratoga July 22 rather than travel to Colonial Downs for the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) a day earlier, according to trainer Christophe Clement.

Zultanite Can Break Through in Virginia Oaks

Zultanite, coming off a pair of strong graded stakes turf efforts, should start a strong favorite in the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Colonial Downs July 21.

Silver Max's Streak On Line in Virginia Derby

Silver Max puts a five-race winning streak on the line as the 123-pound high weight July 21 in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), the showcase event of the summer meet at Colonial Downs.

Colonial Downs Cancels Sunday Card

Due to the severe storm and a current power outage, Colonial Downs has canceled its live race card for Sunday, July 1.

Turbo Compressor Takes Colonial Cup

Turbo Compressor proved once again that speed can be dangerous. The 4-year-old Halo's Image ridgeling, who makes it a habit of being in front, got out to a narrow lead in the Colonial Turf Cup and won.

Snow Top Mountain Peaks in All Along

The 124-pound highweight rebounded from a sixth-place finish last time out to best 10 other fillies and mares in the grade III turf event.

Rahystrada Faces 11 in Colonial Turf Defense

Eight-year-old Rahystrada defends his title in the Colonial Turf Cup June 16 at Colonial Downs against a full field that includes five horses that ran in last month's Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).

Pachattack May Try Luck On Turf in All Along

Pachattack, winner of the Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) in her only start since finishing third in the 2011 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I), heads the field for the Edward P. Evans All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 16.

Colonial Downs Jockeys Receive Fee Increase

The Jockeys' Guild and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have reached an agreement on a new mount fee schedule that will provide an increase in base mount fee for races run at Colonial Downs.

Mid-Atlantic Circuit: Possible--or Laughable

Cooperation and concessions could do wonders in the Mid-Atlantic region, which badly needs a circuit strategy.

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Colonial Downs' Turf Course Set Ablaze

The Secretariat Turf Course at Colonial Downs was intentionally set ablaze March 22 as the Virginia track undertook a "controlled burn" in an effort to get the grass to re-grow in time for the meet that begins June 2.

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.

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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.