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.
Nick Hahn
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 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 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.
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.
Colonial's Soft Sod Suits Sailor's Cap
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).
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.
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 Meet Up to 45 Days in 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.
Colonial Season Ends With Small Increases
- By Nick Hahn
The 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.
Field Set for Virginia Derby
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.
Silver Charades Wins All Along With Late Burst
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.
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.
Virginia Derby to be Televised on CBS Network
Colonial 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.
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.
Vacare, Wait a While Among Early Noms for All Along BC
A 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.
Virginia Commission Tough on Steroids, Easy on Apprentice
- By Nick Hahn
Members 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.
Virginia Approves CDI Account Wagering Application
- By Nick Hahn
An application by twinspires.com, the new Churchill Downs Inc.-owned account wagering service, was approved by the Virginia Racing Commission.
Virginia House Buries Instant Racing
- By Nick Hahn
Instant Racing bill rejected by Virginia House. Conference committee could take up but session ends Feb. 24.
Instant Racing Bill Still Alive in Virginia
- By Nick Hahn
Legislation 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.
Instant Racing Tabled in Virginia
- By Nick Hahn
A 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.
Another Start for Instant Racing in Virginia's House
- By Nick Hahn
After 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.
Instant Racing Bill Re-Introduced in Virginia
- By Nick Hahn
Old 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.
Instant Racing Bill Introduced in Virginia
- By Nick Hahn
A proposed bill on "Instant Racing" could make an instant impact on purse account and potholes in Virginia.
Colonial Teams with Restaurant to Expand ADW
- By Nick Hahn
In 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.
Colonial Downs: On-Track Down, Off-Track Up
- By Nick Hahn
Though 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.
Handle Up, Attendance Down So Far at Colonial
- By Nick Hahn
After 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.
Go Between On Top This Time in Virginia
Peter 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.
Showing Up Does Not, But Virginia Derby Draws 12
Although 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.
Colonial Downs Wagering Off to Strong Start
- By Nick Hahn
At 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.
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.
$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 Wins Help Fogelsonger Get to 1,000
Jockey Ryan Fogelsonger collected his 1,000th career win Sunday at Colonial Downs when he guided the maiden Glenwood Ace to victory.
Colonial Downs Builds on Past, Looks to Future
While 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.
Top Three Derby Finishers Nominated to Colonial Downs' Turf Stakes
Colonial 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).
Colonial Downs' 2006 Dates Approved
- By Nick Hahn
The 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.
Colonial Wants More Dates; Sets Turf Stakes
- By Nick Hahn
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.
Virginia Board OKs Colonial's Management Purchase
- By Nick Hahn
The 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.
Meadow Farm Approved for Virginia State Fair
- By Nick Hahn
With 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.
Action Tabled on Colonial Management Buyout
- By Nick Hahn
Members 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.
Plan to Move Fair to Meadow Farm Progresses
- By Nick Hahn
Plans are being finalized to relocate the State Fair of Virginia to Meadow Farm, birthplace of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat.
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
- By Nick Hahn
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.
Colonial Downs Apprentice Sanchez Dies
Emanuel Sanchez, a 22-year-old apprentice rider at Colonial Downs, died on Saturday morning at Bon Secour Community Hospital in Richmond.
English Channel Rolls to Virginia Derby Win
John 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.
My Typhoon Prevails in Stormy Virginia Oaks
Lightning 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.
Storm Forces Colonial Dirt Races to Grass
People 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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