Hettel Leaving Virginia Regulatory Position
Citing business commitments in Kentucky, Bernie Hettel will step down from his position as executive secretary of the Virginia Racing Commission.
Colonial Downs
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Colonial Downs
Colonial Owner to Sell Off-Track Properties
Jacobs Entertainment announced Jan. 8 the selection of Cushman & Wakefield-Thalhimer to sell the properties formerly used as off-track betting facilities in conjunction with its Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Va.
Virginia Group Pursues Thoroughbred Home
The Virginia Equine Alliance updated its members Nov. 20 on its efforts to find a home for Thoroughbred racing in the state and other initiatives.
Virginia Denies Colonial a Limited License
The Virginia Racing Commission Nov. 17 denied an application from Colonial Downs to conduct a limited race meet.
Colonial Downs Pursues Dates Through Court
The filing seeks clarity on what Colonial says are conflicting federal and state laws that have interfered with the VRC granting the track a limited license to conduct Thoroughbred racing.
Grade I Winners Meet in Commonwealth Cup
A pair of grade I winners will look to return to their multiple graded stakes-winning form in the $250,000 Commonwealth Cup Stakes (gr. IIT) Sept. 19 at Laurel Park.
Virginia Racing Plans Continue to Take Shape
The Virginia Equine Alliance plans to run a day of flat racing Sept. 20 at Great Meadow, while the owners of Colonial Downs continue to float proposals to offer racing through an alternative horsemen's group.
MJC Hopes to Alter 2015 Laurel Racing Dates
Maryland Jockey Club vice president and general manager Sal Sinatra June 2 said the plan is for Laurel to reopen July 3 and race mostly three days a week through the end of the year with the exception of the state fair meet.
Virginia Defining Horsemen's Group Criteria
With legislation in place calling for the Virginia Racing Commission to recognize one official horsemen's group on the Thoroughbred side, the regulatory body is busy shaping the criteria it will use to determine that group.
Negotiations to Lease Colonial Downs Cease
The Virginia Equine Alliance said April 10 that efforts to lease Jeff Jacobs' Colonial Downs property to conduct racing had ceased after the track owner rejected two offers.
Colonial Downs to Close its ADW Operation
Although other advance-deposit wagering options in Virginia remain, Colonial Downs announced April 7 that it will immediately shut down its EZ Horseplay ADW site.
Compromise Possible for Racing in Virginia
Winter weather didn't just force cancellations of race days this week, it also forced the Virginia Racing Commission to postpone its regular meeting that had been scheduled March 5, when it had hoped the future of racing.
Virginia Equine Alliance Praises Legislation
In Feb. 24 release, the Virginia Equine Alliance praised legislation that has passed the state legislature and now awaits the signature of Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
Bill Would Provide Funding for Virginia Group
Virginia legislators have advanced bills that would provide funding for the Virginia Equine Alliance, a non-profit group that could shape racing in the state.
Colonial Withdraws Request for 2015 Dates
The owner of Colonial Downs said Oct. 15 the racetrack has withdrawn its request for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing for 2015, as well as a request to have a new horsemen's group.
Colonial Owner: OK Plan or Operations Cease
The owner of Colonial Downs said the Virginia racetrack and its network of off-track betting parlors will close Nov. 1 if the Virginia Racing Commission doesn't approve its plan for live Thoroughbred racing in 2015.
Slagle Named New Woodbine Racing Secretary
Stuart Slagle, currently racing secretary at Hastings Racecourse, has been named new Thoroughbred racing secretary at Woodbine, effective Nov. 10.
Virginians Take Over Laurel Park Sept. 13
The cooperative spirit between racing and breeding programs in the Mid-Atlantic region will be on full display Sept. 13 when Maryland's Laurel Park offers five stakes for horses bred and/or sired in Virginia.
Laurel Park Meet Begins With Focus on Turf
Laurel Park opens its customary end-of-season meet Sept. 5 with an emphasis on turf racing and stakes clustered on multiple big-event days.
Delaware Park, Horsemen Extend Contract
Delaware Park and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association signed a one-year extension to their current agreement, which was scheduled to run through 2015.
Colonial Downs Challenges VRC Plan in Court
Before any action is taken on a Virginia Racing Commission plan that could have paved the way for racing at Colonial Downs in 2015, it will be challenged in court by the New Kent, Va., track.
Under Plan, No 2014 Racing at Colonial Downs
The Virginia Racing Commission has asked that horsemen and Colonial Downs come to an agreement on an eight-week schedule for 2015 in a deal that would see no live Thoroughbred racing in 2014 at the New Kent, Va. track.
Colonial Downs 2014 Meeting in Jeopardy
As of Thursday, May 22, racing at Colonial Downs this year appears to be unlikely as horsemen in Virginia and the track have failed to reach an agreement on the schedule.
Colonial Downs, Horsemen Still Talking Dates
The Virginia Racing Commission granted an extension to Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to reach an agreement on racing dates this year.
Talks Break Down on Colonial Downs Meet
This summer's Colonial Downs meeting may be in jeopardy after the New Kent, Va. track broke off talk with horsemen Tuesday, May 13.
Virginia Horsemen and Track Move Bit Closer
While no agreement is in place and the two sides still disagree on some important details, Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have moved closer to an agreement.
Virginia HBPA Circles Wagons in Stalemate
In a letter sent to its members this month, the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association seeks to strengthen support for its organization, which is in a stalemate with Colonial Downs on race dates.
Colonial Downs Ends Talks with Virginia HBPA
While acknowledging its decision could jeopardize Thoroughbred racing in the state for this year or even several years, Colonial Downs says it has ceased negotiations with the Virginia HBPA.
Effort to Resolve Virginia Dates Fails Again
A two-hour meeting March 12 between the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, representatives of Colonial Downs, and an arbitrator failed to yield an agreement over 2014 racing dates in Virginia.
2014 Virginia Racing Dates Still Unresolved
The 2014 racing schedule for Colonial Downs remains in limbo due to a contract stalemate over dates between track management and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.
Several Virginia OTBs Closing During Dispute
With Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA failing to reach a contract agreement on this year's race schedule, the track has decided to temporarily close several off-track betting locations.
The Week in Photos for 7/16/2013
Colonial Downs, Newmarket, Arlington, Canterbury, Delaware Park, Arapahoe, Belmont and more! view slideshow
War Dancer Gets Bob in Virginia Derby Photo
War Dancer got the bob in a three-way photo finish July 13 at Colonial Downs, overpowering hard-running Charming Kitten and staving off the late-flying Jack Milton to get victory in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT).
Nellie Cashman Springs Virginia Oaks Surprise
Bettors sent Sycamore Racing's 3-year-old Nellie Cashman off at odds of 19-1 in the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr. IIIT). But the plucky Mineshaft filly had other ideas July 13 at Colonial Downs.
THS: Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby
Frank Angst and Claire Novak handicap the Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby. Both seem to think the Virginia Derby will be a very telling and exciting race to watch. Can the Kittens finish 1-2-3? watch video
Field of Ten Set for July 13 Virginia Derby
The 16th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 13 at Colonial Downs brings together a varied field of competitors, and quite a few of them share the same bloodlines.
Praia Tries Virginia Oaks Off Stakes Placings
After finishing second to Kitten's Dumplings in a pair of stakes races on the turf at Churchill Downs, Praia will ship to Colonial Downs in search of the first stakes win of her career.
Colonial Downs Cancels Due to Power Outage
Thunderstorms in New Kent, Va. June 26 caused a power outage at Colonial Downs, forcing the track to cancel its live racing schedule.
The Week in Photos for 6/25/2013
Tony Soprano, Monmouth, Churchill, Ascot, Woodbine; Colonial Downs, Belmont & More view slideshow
First Winner for Bias Comes at Colonial Downs
Bias, an unraced son of Unbridled, sired his first winner in Asalor, who broke his maiden June 22 in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on the inner turf course at Colonial Downs.
London Lane Rolls to Colonial Turf Shocker
Maryland shipper London Lane, ignored at odds of 50-1, charged from the rear down the center of the track to land the $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) in a shocker June 22 at Colonial Downs.
Channel Lady Proves Best in All Along Stakes
Splitting rivals down the stretch, Channel Lady overtook front running Welcome Dance and Appealing Cat to win the Edward P. Evans All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) June 22 at Colonial Downs.
Colonial Downs Event to Benefit TRF
Colonial Downs and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation at James River are joining together to host the first-ever "Mr. TRF" Second Chances Stakes, a competition of ex-racehorses June 29.
That Handicapping Show: Colonial Turf Cup S.
Tom LaMarra and Claire Novak handicap the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs. Can anyone defeat Atigun? watch video
Channel Lady Owns Class Edge in All Along
Grade III winner Channel Lady carries top weight of 124 pounds into the $100,000 Edward P. Evans All Along Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the evening of June 22 at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va.
Atigun and Air Support Head Colonial Turf Cup
Atigun and Air Support head a solid field of eight older horses, including Swift Warrior, ready to duke it out in the $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (gr. IIT) June 22 at Colonial Downs.
Colonial Downs Begins Meet With Full Fields
Colonial Downs kicks off its 2013 meet June 8 with full fields for turf racing and three steeplechase events highlighted by the grade III David L. "Zeke" Ferguson Memorial Stakes.
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.
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