Colonial Downs to Race With Spectators July 27-Sept. 2

Colonial Downs announced July 3 that its 2020 Thoroughbred meeting would begin July 27 with provisions for a limited number of spectators in attendance for an 18-day season that concludes Sept. 2.

This year's meet will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, with first post time at 5:30 p.m. ET. This represents a change from a prior schedule of July 23-Aug. 29 when racing had been planned Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. All races will be televised by TVG, the track said in a release.

Under conditions established in Virginia's Phase 3 reopening plan, which allows for outdoor venues to cap attendance at 1,000 spectators, Colonial Downs will plan the following protocols for the nightly meeting:

•   Up to 1,000 spectators will be admitted to the outdoor areas of the grandstand and the track apron. 

•   All guests will receive temperature checks upon arrival at the facility and a 6-foot social distancing policy will be enforced.

•   Guests are required to wear masks indoors and encouraged outdoors.

"With the advancement into Phase 3 of Virginia's reopening plan, and guidance from state and local health authorities, we are anxious to offer this year's race meeting with limited spectators in a safe and healthful fashion," said John Marshall, Colonial Downs executive vice president of operations. "As we continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19, our top priority this meet is protecting the health and safety of our guests, team, and racing participants." 

The track reports a positive response from horsemen wishing to stable at Colonial, coming from states across the country. The stable area will open July 13.

The daily purse distribution for this year's meeting will be approximately $340,000. The purse structure was reduced because of the temporary closure of gaming and simulcast facilities that resulted in a reduction in historical horse racing and simulcast revenue, the track said. The track's condition book is available online.

"Under these difficult circumstances, we couldn't be happier with the enthusiastic response from our horsemen in the number of stall applications received for this month's opening," said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs vice president of racing operations. "Our stable area and dirt and turf courses received rave reviews from horsemen last season, and we look forward to hosting another successful race meet. We also feel our early-week racing schedule will provide us with greater visibility to fans wagering around the country.

"We also thank the Virginia HPBA for their cooperation in working with us on adjustments to the purse program during this unprecedented period." 

Last year, under new management, Colonial Downs, which was conducting a race meeting for the first time since 2013, made sweeping improvements to the facility. Those enhancements included upgrades to the irrigation system for its turf course, renovations to the 1 1/4-mile dirt track, stable area and paddock, receiving and test barns and dormitories and a new jockeys' room kitchen.

Last year, Colonial paid out $614,000 in owner incentive bonuses and $364,300 in trainer bonuses, and in 2020 these incentives return. This year, each owner will receive $800 per start for any of its horses which do not earn $800 in that race, and each trainer will receive $250 for each time they start a horse. In addition, Colonial Downs and the Virginia HBPA will each pledge a $15 donation for each starter to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

"On behalf of the Virginia horsemen, we are delighted to be back racing at Colonial Downs this summer," said Frank Petramalo Jr., executive director of the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. "Last year, we got off to a great start, and we're looking forward to building on that success, particularly since we have not had much opportunity to race in the Middle Atlantic during the first part of the season. As important, our horsemen are particularly pleased with the number of races written at the meet for Virginia-bred, Virginia-sired, and Virginia-certified horses, which support our local farms."   

A total of 18 overnight races have been dedicated as Virginia restricted, which are open to horses that are either Virginia-bred, sired or certified. Another three restricted overnights are listed as substitute races throughout the meet. 

The 2020 meet will be highlighted by the 18th running of the $200,000 Virginia Derby (G3T) on turf for 3-year-olds, and the $100,000 Virginia Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, both now Sept. 1. Purses for both races have been reduced this year by $50,000 each.