Daily Purses of $500,000 for 21-Day Colonial Downs Meet
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Photo: Coady Photography
Racing at Colonial Downs
This summer's meet at Colonial Downs will offer 25 stakes worth more than $2.7 million and average daily purses of $500,000, the track announced May 13. The meet runs July 19-Sept. 1 with racing Mondays through Wednesdays. Its races will be televised on TVG.
Fans are welcomed back to the Virginia track with free attendance. Colonial ran without spectators last year with the onset of COVID-19. It ended its meet early after a series of COVID-19 cases among track participants.
The Colonial Downs barn area opens July 5. The condition and stakes book, stall applications, and horsemen information are available online. The track's biggest day is Aug. 31 when it hosts the Virginia Derby (G3T) and four other grass stakes. Horse Racing Radio Network will broadcast live from Colonial on Virginia Derby Day.
As a sustaining benefit to the state's breeding and racing program, 12 stakes races worth a combined $1.2 million will be offered between Virginia-bred, sired, and certified horses.
At the forefront of safety and integrity, Colonial Downs this year became a member of the Mid-Atlantic Strategic Alliance to reduce equine fatalities. The track also supports the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act legislation.
Jason Beem returns as the track announcer. Jessica Paquette will be this year's paddock host and handicapper, and Merv Huber will continue to provide morning line odds and guest analysis.