Colonial Downs Expands 2020 Racing Schedule

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/03/2020 - 13:38
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Colonial Downs Expands 2020 Racing Schedule
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Photo: Coady Photography
Four Wheel Drive wins the 2019 Rosie's Stakes at Colonial Downs

Live racing returns to Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia in July and August with premium tickets going on sale Feb. 3. Thoroughbreds from around the country will run every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from July 23 through Aug. 29.

"We are looking forward to an expanded race meet this year offering one of the highest purse structures in the country", said the track's vice president of racing, Jill Byrne. "The 2019 season was a very successful return to live Thoroughbred racing at Colonial Downs and incredible support from horsemen and women, and fans and patrons from around the country. I love seeing families and guests out on the track apron where they can get close up to the horses and jockeys and watch the action from rail side."

Colonial Downs' second season since the return and revitalization of Thoroughbred horse racing in Virginia offers a family friendly atmosphere with fine dining in the Jockey Club and Turf Club, private suites for larger parties, outdoor clubhouse boxes, reserved grandstand seating, and a new hospitality tent trackside open to everyone.

John Marshall, executive vice president of operations at Colonial Downs Group added, "With a variety of ticketing and dining options as well as free general admission, it makes for an entertaining night out for everyone. Our motto is to add life, and we are adding life to New Kent County and Virginia during racing season and all year round."

Other race meet highlights include:

  • Approximately $500,000 in daily purses and over $2.8 million in total stakes, including a robust Virginia-bred and certified schedule during the 18 day meet will attract the best horses and jockeys from around the country to compete over the Secretariat turf course, and second largest dirt track in North America.
  • July 23-25 opening weekend kicks off with over $700,000 in Virginia-bred and restricted stakes races.
  • August 15—MATCH Series, featuring $500,000 in stakes races.
  • August 28-29—closing weekend offering over $1.2 million in stakes races highlighted by the Virginia Derby (G3) on Saturday night with the Virginia Oaks, Rosie's and Kitten's Joy Stakes. (Last year's Rosie's Stakes winner, Four Wheel Drive, went on to capture the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T))