Colonial Downs' Opening Day Greeted With Enthusiasm

Not only were Thoroughbreds back racing at Colonial Downs for the first time in six years Aug. 8, but emotions were running high as well for the people who worked to bring live racing back to New Kent, Va.

"This is a proud day for Virginians, especially those with a passion for horse racing," said John Marshall, executive vice president of the Colonial Downs Group. "You can see it on their faces. They're really enthused and proud to see Colonial revived."

That was clear, especially in the second race when Speed App returned Colonial's all-time leading trainer Ferris Allen to the winner's circle with his first runner of the meet. The 3-year-old Virginia-bred colt by Flatter  was making his first start for Ferris and the Virginia Racing Club. He drew off by five lengths to win going six furlongs on the main track.

Allen was grateful for the new ownership group that selected him to train, and he also enjoyed the hometown feel. The trainer recalled his late father, Bert Allen, one of Virginia racing's biggest supporters, and his dedication to Colonial Downs, which first opened in 1997.

"My dad and I spent many trips here while the place was under construction, before it was even a thought, before we even knew it was going to be here," he said. "(We spent) so much time getting racing to Virginia in the 80s and the 90s. It's all of that, too. It's a real amazing combination of things, quite honestly.

"I grew up in Varina, which is on the East side of Richmond. I've already run into my high school third baseman who taught me Hank Williams songs when we were in the locker room in high school. It's that kind of thing."

Debbie Easter, executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and president of the Virginia Equine Alliance, played a large role in forming the Virginia Racing Club. The last Thoroughbred meet at Colonial Downs was held in 2013, and Standardbred racing ended there after 2014. Between the Virginia Racing Club's victory and having live racing back at Colonial Downs, Easter was all smiles.

"It's been great. Everybody's been working hard," she said. "We have the Virginia Equine Alliance, the (Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association), the breeders, the harness guys, the (Virginia) Gold Cup (Association), and we just kept things going while we didn't have anything.

"We all have been working so hard just trying to make something happen, and it happened. It's just a great story for racing because it doesn't happen like this in racing very often. I'm tickled, and tickled that we brought some people that hadn't done racing before. Some of them have and some of them haven't, and they get a win on their first horse. It's great."

Eight of the 10 races Thursday were run on the Secretariat Turf Course, named after the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, who was bred in Virginia at The Meadow. Kate Chenery Tweedy, a daughter of Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery, kicked off the first race by calling "Riders Up" in the paddock.

"It feels like coming back home," Chenery said. "The turf course was named for Secretariat originally. Mom was a personal friend of the course designer. The fact that it's being renewed and started up again is near and dear to our hearts."

An estimated crowd of 3,200 people attended opening day with free general admission, despite the temperature hovering around 90 degrees for the first post of 5 p.m. Marshall said the 1609 restaurant on the fourth floor was sold out and 80% of the Jockey Club buffet's availability on the third floor was sold in advance, with walk-ins continuing on race day.

The night cooled off as racing took place under the lights, but patrons on the track apron found shade with seating under tents and could visit an air-conditioned tent at the top of the stretch.

"Very happy with the way things are going. The VTA and the VHBPA and the horsemen are ecstatic. The comments from the jockeys have been positive," Marshall said about halfway through the card. "Operationally we're working out slight wrinkles like you would expect on an opening day after being closed for six years. ... We found our space going into Race 5. We finally got distance with Del Mar that we like, so a little bit of a traffic jam there on Races 1-4 and now we're in our sweet spot."

From 10 races with 93 starters, total handle reached $1,562,390. Recognizable silks spotted on the track included those of WinStar Farm, Cash is King, and Stuart S. Janney III. Winning trainers on the card included Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner Michael Matz, East Coast-based Jonathan Thomas, and Kentucky-based Brendan Walsh.