Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs concluded its 21-day season this week, highlighted by a new all-time daily average handle and over $10-million in purse distribution. In all, total handle was $46,867,078, a record average daily handle of $2,231,765. The 2019 meet--which was 15 days over five weeks--produced an average handle of $1,166,666, for a more that 91% increase. "It is so gratifying to see the continued revival of Virginia racing as we mark new all-time handle heights," said John Marshall, Colonial Downs Group Executive Vice President, Operations. "We have held true to our...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 6th-CNL, $50K, Msw, 3yo, 7f, 4:05 p.m. ET Lidstrom (Tapit), the fourth-priciest lot at the 2019 Keeneland September sale on a $2.5-million winning bid from Godolphin, makes his debut here for trainer Mike Stidham. The grey is a half-brother to none other than champion juvenile, GI Kentucky Derby winner and now top young Darley sire Nyquist. He shows an upbeat tab at Delaware Park for this first go. TJCIS PPs

The Jockeys' Guild and Colonial Downs Group have entered into a long-term industry partnership agreement. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Colonial Downs will contribute to the Guild to help subsidize health insurance, life insurance and temporary disability benefits for members who regularly ride at Colonial Downs, as well as benefits for all jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild and ride in the United States. "The safety of both jockeys and equine athletes is a priority at Colonial Downs," said Jill Byrne, Vice-President of Racing Operations at...

The Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series (MATCH) will return to Virginia's Colonial Downs Monday, Aug. 23. It will be the first time in 20 years Colonial will have been an part of MATCH. Colonial was an original MATCH partner when the series began in 1997 and opted to rejoin the series in 2020 before it was cancelled due to COVID-19. For more details on the series, click here. A total of 139 horses, pending late mail, have been nominated to the four $100,000 stakes at Colonial. Horses in the MATCH series...

Colonial Downs kicked off its 2021 racing season Monday with a record opening day handle of $2.66 million, spurred by a four-pack of $100,000 Virginia-restricted turf stakes races, and the return of fans to the New Kent track now in its third year under ownership of the Colonial Downs Group. "We would like to thank the horsemen, our fans on and off site and our team for starting the meet on the right foot," said John Marshall, Executive VP Operations for the Colonial Downs Group. "What a delight it was...

Rick Williams has been named Safety Officer for Colonial Downs, it was announced Tuesday. Williams will begin his role when the Colonial backside opens up July 5 ahead of its summer race meet, which kicks off July 19. Williams has a diverse racing background that includes stints as a groom, jockey agent, and in several front side departments including photo finish, mutuels and track maintenance. Before retiring in 2012, he spent his prior 15 years in a regulatory position with both the Ohio and Kentucky Racing Commissions and was involved...

Jessica Paquette, long-time handicapper at Suffolk Downs and most recently Sam Houston, will make her debut at Colonial Downs this summer. She replaces Merv Huber, who is unable to travel to Colonial Downs this season, but will stay on as morning line odds maker and provide guest analysis. "I've heard the Secretariat Turf Course is the best grass surface in the country, and it's my favorite kind of racing," Paquette said. "Being able to talk about beautiful pedigrees on a great grass course just lights my soul on fire. Turf...

A total of 25 stakes races worth more than $2.7 million will be offered at the upcoming seven-week Thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs--from July 19 through Sept. 1--featuring a minimum $500,000 in average daily purses and the GIII $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby Aug. 31. The 2021 meeting will be scheduled every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with daily first post time at 1:45 p.m. ET. All Colonial Downs races will be televised on TVG. Colonial Downs welcomes back fans to this year's 21-day meeting with free admission. "Since we...

The horse racing and breeding industry in Virginia generated an estimated economic impact of $542.1 million in the state in 2019, according to a study commissioned by the Virginia Equine Alliance. "What we're finding is that jobs are coming back, horse racing related expenditures are up, and tax revenue to the state is increasing," said John Hannum, Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance. "These are all very positive signs that the racing industry is moving in the right direction and benefiting the Commonwealth's agribusiness and related businesses. Racing was...

The Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships (MATCH) Series, which was forced to go on hiatus in 2020 because of regional COVID-19 restrictions, will return this year under a two-state schedule put together by horsemen and racetracks in Maryland and Virginia to bridge the gap until the full Series is restored in 2022. The Series, the only one of its kind in racing, will run from May 14 at Pimlico Race Course through Dec. 26 at Laurel Park, and will feature 24 stakes--20 of them in Maryland and four at Colonial Downs in...

Virginia's Colonial Downs Racetrack will host live racing this summer from July 19-Sept. 1 with premium tickets going on sale Monday, Mar. 15. General admission is free. The seven-week meet will have racing every Monday-Wednesday with a daily first post of 1:45 p.m. Colonial will award approximately $500,000 in daily purses with more than $2.75 million devoted to the stakes schedule. Opening week will see over $400,000 dispersed to Virginia-bred and restricted stakes races. Closing week offers over $1.2 million in stakes, including the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks, both...

Colonial Downs Group has opened a fifth Rosie's Gaming Emporium offering historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full-card simulcasting. The new Rosie's is located in Dumfries, Va., and features 150 slots-like gaming machines and simulcasts, as well as a restaurant and bar. At the ceremonial ribbon cutting, $76,500 was donated by Rosie's to local charities. "The opening of this Rosie's adds to our tremendous success in Virginia and enters us into Northern Virginia," said Aaron Gomes, chief operating officer of Colonial Downs Group. "The Dumfries location builds on our commitment...