For the first time in 10 years, Colonial Downs has amended its weekly race schedule, adding Wednesday cards in place of Fridays.
In addition to the weekday schedule change, the New Kent, Va., track will also have the earliest opening in its 14-year history, beginning the 40-day meet May 29 with afternoon racing over the three-day Memorial Day weekend.
Following the opener, daily post time for the first race will be 4 p.m. (Eastern) on weekdays and 12:55 p.m. on weekends.
“The change in weekday post time will give us a chance to increase out-of-state simulcast handle by providing a true bridge signal,” said Tyler Picklesimer, director of racing, said in a press release. “We’ll also have more flexibility to program where dirt and turf races are scheduled now that we’re racing completely during daylight hours. In the past, the last couple of races had to be carded on dirt since they took place after the sun went down.”
While the main track at Colonial Downs is lighted, the turf course does not have lights.
The meet, which concludes July 21, will be highlighted by the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 17 and the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) June 19.
