Colonial Nearing Start of Meet; 2024 Leaders to Return

Colonial Downs' stable area will be open for business June 23, welcoming returning conditioners, as well as newcomers who are sure to impact the standings. Training is scheduled to begin June 25. The expanded 41-day summer session runs from July 9 through Sept. 13. The 2025 season will be conducted on a four-day-per-week schedule, Wednesday through Saturday, plus the Labor Day holiday Sept. 1.

Mike Trombetta, the 2024 leading trainer, and Ben Curtis, last year's top jockey, are returning to defend their respective titles where they will face a mix of returning conditioners and jockeys as well as plenty of new faces.

"Last year was my first year there and I love the place," Curtis said. "The turf track is phenomenal. I really enjoyed my first experience there. It all seemed to go really well. Since then, it's been all systems go to come back there. Hopefully, I'll do as well as last year."

The $5.8 million Colonial Downs 2025 summer stakes program is headlined by the Festival of Racing Aug. 9 which is topped by the Arlington Million (G1T), $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T), and $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2T). The undercard includes the $150,000 Van Clief Stakes, which has been upgraded to listed status for 2025; the $150,000 Andy Guest Stakes, the $100,000 Petramalo Mile, and the $100,000 Tyson Gilpin.

The lucrative stakes program also features the $500,000 Old Dominion Derby (G3T) and its sister race, the listed $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks, which anchor the Sept. 6 card. Four other stakes will be raced that day: the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes, the $150,000 Colonial Cup, the $125,000 Exacta System Rosie's Stakes, and the $125,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes.

"I'm excited to begin my first full season at Colonial Downs," said new racing secretary Dan Bork. "With our solid overnight purses and expanded stakes schedule, our barn area is full plus I expect plenty of shippers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic states."

Post time on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday is 12:30 p.m. ET. Friday's twilight card gets underway at 4:00 p.m. There will be a special Noon start time Aug. 9 and Sept. 6.

For tickets and additional racing information, visit our website at www.colonialdowns.com.