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.
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.
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.
The owner of Colonial Downs said Oct. 15 the racetrack has withdrawn its request for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing for 2015, as well as a request to have a new horsemen's group.
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.
Stuart Slagle, currently racing secretary at Hastings Racecourse, has been named new Thoroughbred racing secretary at Woodbine, effective Nov. 10.
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 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 and the Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association signed a one-year extension to their current agreement, which was scheduled to run through 2015.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This summer's Colonial Downs meeting may be in jeopardy after the New Kent, Va. track broke off talk with horsemen Tuesday, May 13.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
