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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.

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).

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 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.

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.

THS: The Colonial Turf Cup

Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Colonial Turf Cup (gr. II) at Colonial Downs on June 19.

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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.

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

Battle of Hastings Wins Colonial Turf Duel

Battle of Hastings took advantage of a gaping hole along the inside to gain the lead and then held off an unlucky Straight Story for a head victory in the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) June 20 in Virginia.

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.

Battle of Hastings Tops Colonial Turf Cup

Battle of Hastings has been installed as a 2-1 favorite among 10 3-year-olds entered in the fifth running of the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs on Saturday, June 20.

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).

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 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.

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.

Colonial '08 Meet Has 17 Stakes

Colonial Downs' 45-day summer meet will host 17 stakes worth $2.52 million, it announced Feb. 27.

Violette: Summer Doldrums Ready for Virginia Derby

In spite of ending up as the 7-2 third choice on the morning line, trainer Rick Violette said his starter Summer Doldrums is geared up for a win in Saturday's $1 million Virginia Derby (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs.

Summer Arrives Just in Time in Colonial Turf Cup

Summer 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.

Colonial Turf Cup Has Foreign Flair

When 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.

Four Derby Starters Among Nominees to Colonial Turf Cup

Eight graded stakes winners are among the 78 early nominations for $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) at Colonial Downs on June 16.

Virginia Wagering Handle Approaches $200 Million in 2006

All-sources handle for 2006 Virginia horse racing hit a record high of $192,509,054, according to figures released Jan. 22 by the Virginia Racing Commission.

Showing Up Finds Colonial Turf Cup Spotlight

Barclay Tagg saved Showing Up's first start on the turf for Saturday, and the trainer's patience was well rewarded in the $1 million Colonial Turf Cup for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs.

Hurley Returns to Virginia With Colonial Pick

Former 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.

TVG To Show Colonial Turf Cup Live

TVG will present live coverage of Saturday's $1 million Colonial Turf Cup from Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. The telecast, which will air from 5-6 p.m. (est), will be simulcast on Fox Sports New York and Turner South.

$1-Million Colonial Turf Cup Oversubscribed

A 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.

Colonial Wants More Dates; Sets Turf Stakes

Colonial 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.

English Channel Gives 'Grand Slam' Fast Start

By 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.

Handle Tops $40 Million at Colonial Downs

Well 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.

English Channel Cruises to Colonial Turf Win

A dawdling pace in Saturday's $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup couldn't stop prohibitive favorite English Channel, whose devastating late kick produced an easy 3 1/2-length at Colonial Downs.

Three-Year-Olds Square Off on the Green

Trainers Bill Mott and Todd Pletcher could have 3-year-old colts running side by side in two $500,000 turf stakes at two different tracks Saturday afternoon.

TVG to Present Live Coverage of Inaugural Colonial Turf Cup

TVG will present live coverage of Saturday's inaugural $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup from Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. The telecast, which will air from 5-6 p.m. ET, will be simulcast on Fox Sports Net 2, Fox Sports Mid Atlantic, Fox Sports Ohio, and Sun Sports and will be available in 31 million homes.

English Channel Heads Field for Inaugural Colonial Turf Cup

Saturday's inaugural running of the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup at Virginia's Colonial Downs has attracted 11 entries for the race restricted to 3-year-old turf horses.

More Dirt Racing Planned at Colonial Downs

As Colonial Downs's opens its summer meet Friday, spectators coming to New Kent will see more racing on its dirt course as well as some changes to the facility, both exterior and interior.

Scrappy T Won't Run in the Belmont

Racing fans will be deprived of a rematch between the top two finishers of the dramatic May 21 Preakness (gr. I) won by Afleet Alex. Trainer Robbie Bailes and owner Marshall Dowell have decided that runner-up Scrappy T will not run in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11.

Scrappy T's Connections Now Leaning Toward Belmont

Preakness Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Scrappy T will likely make his next start in the $1-million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) rather than the inaugural $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup, for which he is also under consideration.

Virginia Derby Purse Increased to $750,000

Based on the approval of the 2005 Thoroughbred racing and stakes schedule by the Virginia Racing Commission at its February meeting, Colonial Downs and the Virginia Thoroughbred horsemen have agreed to increase the purses for Colonial's two marquee stakes events.