New this year, VTA & VHBPA members will have access to two horsemen’s suites on the 4th floor (Suites #4 & #5). To receive your wristband and access to the suites, show your VRC license or printed VTA suite pass (see button below) on the 4th floor at the podium when you get off of the elevator. Your license or pass will provide access for you and one guest.
Eighty wristbands will be distributed daily and you may pick up the wristbands starting an hour prior to post time.
Refreshments and limited appetizers will be supplied each day.
If you have any problems, please contact Kim Buswell
Just a reminder to owners/trainers of Virginia-Bred and Virginia-Sired horses — the Saturday July 15 card at Colonial Downs will feature a 4-pack of $125,000 turf stakes exclusively for those Commonwealth Bred/Sired horses ages three and up.
Nominations to the four — including the Edward P. Evans, Punch Line, M. Tyson Gilpin/Glen Petty and Brookmeade Stakes — are due by Saturday July 1.
Largent (#3) and rider Pado Lopez capture the 2022 Edward P. Evans Stakes at Colonial Downs (Coady Photography).
The Evans and Punch Line, carded at one mile and 5 ½ furlong distances respectively, are for males while the Gilpin/Petty and Brookmeade, programmed at 5 ½ furlongs and 1-1/16th miles each, are for filles and mares.
Colonial Downs kicks off its annual summer race season Thursday July 13 and the Virginia Stakes card on the 15th highlights open week festivities. The season continues through September 9 with another round of five Virginia stakes slated for Saturday September 2. The $125,000 Jamestown is for Virginia-Bred/Sired 2-year-olds while the other four — the Meadow Stable, Camptown, Bert Allen and Nellie Mae Cox — feature $150,000 purses and are Virgnia-restricted (open to Virginia-Bred, Virginia-Sired and Virginia-Certified horses).
Colonial Downs is set to begin its first season of thoroughbred racing under the ownership of Churchill Downs on Thursday July 13! The 9-week season in New Kent will continue through September 9 with racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM. In preparation for the meet, the stable area opened June 20 and training began June 23. Come opening day, some 850 horses are expected to fill the barn area.
The following pictures are from the week the stable area opened and training began.
83-year-old Carlos Garcia is Colonial’s Stall Superintendent. A former trainer at Colonial going back to the early years, Carlos’s horses made 8,389 starts and accumulated purse earnings of over $25 million.Frank Hopf is Colonial’s new Senior Director of Racing Operations. He spent a number of years at Sam Houston before coming to work at the New Kent track.Eagle Point was represented three abreast as the Colonial Downs dirt track opened for training on June 23. Karen Godsey (left) and her Ashland, VA-based stable had 18 horses on the grounds with more still to come.Trainer Angel Rodriguez shipped in from Florida and will have 15 horses competing at Colonial.Sandy and John — and their two horses — serve as outriders during morning training sessions which take place between 6-10 AM Monday thru Saturday.Trainer David Bourke was among the first to ship into Colonial this year. He had a nice claiming win in New Kent last summer with Waspirant.Trainer Kelsey Danner was the first to ship onto the grounds June 20. This was the scene at her barn after morning training on June 23.Colonial Downs received four inches of rain in three days prior to the first day of training.Dirt track consultant Ken Brown spends several days a week at Colonial Downs assisting Kelly Jackson with the 1-1/4 miles oval.One big advantage to arriving early on the Colonial backstretch before most stables ship in — less traffic in the shed row when hotwalking a horse!Eagle Point Farm horses were especially curious about their new surroundings after shipping in from Ashland.Horses based in Barns 8-14 access the dirt track (for morning works) via a serene path that leads up to the oval.Racing Secretary Stan Shina takes over for Allison DeLuca this year in the Colonial Racing Office.One of Kelsey Danner’s staff hotwalks a horse after a June 23 training session.Eagle Point Farm shipped into Barn 5 with 18 horses on June 21.
NEW KENT, Va. (June 23, 2023) – Horse vans began arriving in earnest as the stable area at Colonial Downs opened June 19 in advance of the New Kent, Va., racetrack’s 2023 season which spans 27 days from Thursday, July 13 through Saturday, September 9.
A record $5.25 million in stakes purses and an average daily purse distribution of $700,000 (includes stakes) ensures the 2023 meet will offer some of the best Thoroughbred racing ever seen in the Commonwealth, topped by the G1 Arlington Million, G1 $500,000 Beverly D., and G2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes on Saturday, August 12, plus the G3 $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks which will highlight the Saturday, September 9 card.
Colonial’s starting gate was in position when training at the New Kent track began June 23. Horses will work out and train Monday thru Saturday from 6-10 AM.
Weekend racing returns for the first time since 2019 with live racing scheduled every Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a first post time of 1:30 p.m.
Colonial Downs again will have a full complement of 850 horses on its backstretch. Among the first horses to arrive were those from the barn of Kelsey Danner, shipping in from Kentucky; Virginia mainstays Karen Godsey, Woodbery Payne and David Bourke; and Angel Rodriguez, arriving from his Florida home base.
“People remember when I was 16 and hotwalking, learning the ropes around here. The quality from what used to be here compared to what is here now is unreal. It is so nice to see bigger outfits, nice quality horses and big stakes race days in New Kent,” said Godsey.
Ashland, VA-based trainer Karen Godsey was among the first to ship into the New Kent stable area.
She moved 18 horses in last Wednesday during a rainstorm and has six more to bring, for a total of 24.
“I’m pretty excited about this year. For some reason, I just feel my string has really come around — a lot further along than I thought they’d be at this point. My older horses are pretty talented and the young Virginia-Certified and Virginia-Bred babies have some pretty nice pedigrees to them and think they’re going to do pretty well. I don’t think I have one in the barn that I don’t want to have right now.”
“I have a lot of turf horses and the purses there are great,” added Mark Casse, a member of both the Canadian and American Halls of Fame, who will have a full contingent here for the first time. “Seeing the opportunities there, it just made sense.”
Casse mentioned that he is considering the G1 Arlington Million for Strong Quality who was fifth in the G1 Manhattan at Belmont on June 10.
Woodberry Payne’s Wine and Roses was the first horse on to the track at 6 AM. June 23 when training began for the season.
The first horse on the track June 23 when training began was Payne’s young filly, Wine and Roses. “This is a Vino Rosso who is a first-year stallion and is very popular,” he said. “She is typical of a bigger, rangier type. She is very promising and is owned by the Pewter Stable out of Pennsylvania. They sent her down to Colonial and get her ready. Everybody appreciates how good this facility is for training and prepping horses.”
“Colonial has established its niche in the market and people are following the money,” he added. “You can tell by the stall list on the backside — there’s going to be formidable competition here this year. I think Virginia is on the upswing. I’ve got some solid 2-year-olds in the stable and the Virginia-Certified program is ultimately why I have them based here instead of at other tracks. People want to take advantage of the Certified races.”
Trainer Woodberry Payne, Colonial’s Director of Racing Surfaces Harrison Young, and Colonial Dirt Track Consultant Ken Brown watched early morning training June 23. The New Kent area had received four inches of rain in the previous three days.
Other trainers expected for the 2023 meet include Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen; Graham Motion, winner of both the 2019 and 2021 editions of the G3 Virginia Derby; last year’s leading trainer Mike Stidham; Jonathan Thomas; Mike Trombetta; and Michelle Lovell.
Colonial has added an Early 50-cent Pick 5 with a fan-friendly 12% takeout to the wagering menu covering the first five flat races daily and a $1 Pick 6 with a 15% takeout which covers the final six races each day.
All races from Colonial Downs can be seen daily on either FanDuel TV or FanDuel Racing. In house, Jason Beem returns for his fifth season at the mic while Kaitlin Free joins the broadcast team as racing analyst and paddock host.
Trainer Kelsey Danner’s stable was first to ship onto the New Kent grounds Tuesday June 20. Viburnum, a 5-year-old daughter of Include, was headed to Barn 8.
About Colonial Downs
Colonial Downs Racetrack, in New Kent, Virginia, hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and on a 1 1/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park.
The Colonial Downs Group, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, and Dumfries which offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting as well as Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville, which features a limited selection of some of their best HHR titles plus full card simulcasting. The 2023 live racing season, which consists of 27 days from July 13 through September 9, is highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 1 Beverly D. and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes on August 12 and the Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby on September 9. The Beverly D. is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” race.
If Approved by Voters this Fall, Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Will Create up to 150 New Well-Paying Jobs in Manassas Park; Generate Millions in New Tax RevenueThat Could Bring Down Property Taxes, Help Fund Schools – More Information Can be Found at: www.manassasparkwins.com
Manassas Park, VA – June 22, 2023 – Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), the iconic host of the Kentucky Derby and owner of Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Virginia, and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums across the Commonwealth, announced today it is collecting signatures to initiate a voter referendum to allow pari-mutuel wagering at a satellite facility in Manassas Park in accordance with the state code of Virginia.
Per Virginia law, localities that have not already approved pari-mutuel wagering require a voter referendum before a pari-mutuel facility can be located in their community. To place a referendum on the ballot, signatures from at least 5% of qualified voters must be submitted to, and certified by, the General Registrar. The local Circuit Court will then officially decree that the referendum will appear on the ballot.
All Rosie’s sites feature Historical Horse Racing terminals in both smoking and non-smoking areas, a higher limits room, and an Off Track Betting area that features live simulcasting.
The petition to initiate the signature drive was submitted to the Prince William County Clerk of Circuit Court by Michael Carrera, who has been a resident of Manassas Park for over a decade. Carrera, a government business analyst, is also serving his second term as a member of the Manassas Park City Council. Carrera stated, “I am excited that Churchill Downs has selected the City of Manassas Park for expansion. The major benefit will be increased tax revenues that will assist with additional city services and property tax reduction. Churchill Downs has been a strong community partner across the Commonwealth, and I look forward to welcoming them to Manassas Park”.
Also commenting on the campaign effort, Laura Hampton stated, “As both a city council member and a life-long Manassas Park resident, I am excited by the job growth, the shopping center revitalization, the increase in city tax revenue and other opportunities this nationwide business will offer our city”.
Manassas Park City Council member Darryl Moore stated, “Churchill Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium will bring much needed revenue and create new jobs. I am supportive of their efforts to locate in our city”.
And, Manassas Park City Council member Yesenia Amaya said, “As a councilwoman, I support the implementation of pari-mutuel systems as they promote fair competition, generate revenue for local economies, and provide an engaging and socially interactive form of entertainment.”
The Rosie’s Hampton location opened in October, 2019.
Speaking on behalf of Churchill Downs about the beginning of the ballot access effort, Jack Sours, Corporate Vice President of Gaming Operations for CDI in Virginia, noted, “Manassas Park is exactly the kind of Virginia locality in which we look to operate. We want to bring good jobs, new tax revenue and a lot of fun to the city! We look forward to letting Manassas Park residents know more about our company, our facilities and all we can do to help make their community a better place to call home in the months ahead. We also know the city is seeking ways to increase revenues so it can lower property taxes and invest in redevelopment of the downtown area. The revenue we generate can help make that happen and we are committed to making further contributions towards that effort. We are true partners in all the communities in which we operate, and we look forward to playing that same role in Manassas Park if voters give us their approval this November!”
CDI is proposing to locate the Rosie’s in the Manassas Park Shopping Center on Centreville Road. The facility would create up to 150 new well-paying jobs and generate an estimated $1.5 Million + in annual tax revenues for the city. More information about the project can be found at www.manassasparkwins.com
About Churchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) has been creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for nearly 150 years, beginning with the company’s most iconic and enduring asset, the Kentucky Derby. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, CDI has expanded through the development of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of the TwinSpires horse racing online wagering business and the operation and development of regional casino gaming properties. More information is available at http://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.
About CDI in Virginia
CDI is a proud business operator in Virginia, employing more than 1,000 team members in the Commonwealth and paying over $30 million in annual salaries, wages, and benefits. Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, Dumfries and Collinsville offer innovative historic horseracing (HHR) gaming technology and full card simulcasting. Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces – Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America at 180 feet wide and a 11/4-mile dirt track, second in length to only the world-famous Belmont Park.
A revised definition of a Virginia-bred horse was also approved at the recent VRC meeting. A Virginia-bred thoroughbred horse refers to a registered thoroughbred horse foaled in Virginia. Beginning with foals of 2024, the foal’s dam must also domicile in Virginia from September 1st of the year of conception and reside in Virginia until she foals the following year.
VTA Executive Director Debbie Easter noted the Breeders’ Fund will be rising from $1.2 million to over $2 million in the near future and that, combined with the revised definition, will help build up the mare population in Virginia. Pending VRC approval later this year, the fund will pay Virginia breeders and stallion owners awards for first thru third place — instead of just wins. More details and related registration forms are available at vabred.org.
Colonial Downs Group LLC received permission at the June 6 Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) meeting to open a new “Rosie’s” satellite wagering center in Emporia, Virginia and conduct pari-mutuel wagering on Historical Horse Racing (HHR) there.
The site will feature 150 HHR terminals, an OTB with two teller stations and six self bet machines, an R-Burger diner and an entertainment stage. This will be the seventh Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Virginia and the first one built from the ground up. Opening is set for late September. The location is right off I-95 and will be visible to cars heading to and from North Carolina. Projected annual handle is $6 million from simulcasting and $373 million from HHR.
AI Generated image of the exterior of the new Rosie’s Location in Emporia, Photo courtesy of RosiesThe new locations interior will be similar to the Vinton Location (Pictured above) with both being 150 machine locations, Photo courtesy of Rosies
Last year was an exceptional one for a number of Virginia Thoroughbreds. Team Valor International’s Green Up was named Virginia Thoroughbred Association Horse of the Year at the recent 2022 Awards Night celebration, which was held at Great Meadow on the eve of the Virginia Gold Cup Steeplechase. The Upstart filly, who was bred by Althea Richards, also won honors that night as top Virginia-Bred 3-Year-Old Filly.
Green Up was 4-for-5 in 2022, including an early win streak early that led to a respectable fourth place finish in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes at Parx September 24. The Todd Pletcher trainee kicked off her sophomore campaign with a $60,000 maiden special weight score at Gulfstream March 31, where she dominated a seven-horse field, winning by 6 3⁄4 lengths. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. led the 6-furlong effort on dirt.
Green Up Ridden by Paco Lopez in his win of the Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park; Photo by Ryan Denver
Three weeks later, she had a similar trip at Gulfstream — in front at the head of the stretch — in a $51,000 allowance optional claimer at one mile. Junior Alvarado was up top in the four-length triumph where the filly was a 1-2 betting favorite among a field of six.
In starts three and four, Green Up advanced to black type stakes competition at Monmouth and Parx and prevailed in both. Paco Lopez led a gate-to-wire performance in the $100,000 Boiling Spring Stakes July 3 in a modest field of four, winning handily by 5 3⁄4 lengths at the one mile, 70-yard distance. Seven weeks later, Green Up was best in the $150,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx. Facing four other 3-year-old fillies, she again pulled away from the field in the stretch with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons and hit the wire 3 3⁄4 lengths in front.
Green Up completed her 3-year-old campaign with a respectable fourth in the $1 million Cotillion where she was sent off as the betting choice. Overall, she has made seven starts, has four wins, a second and a third with purse earnings of $301,848.
Jill Byrne of the VTA awarding Green Ups Connections Robin Richards and Fred Heyman; Photo by Hannah Jones
Gigante is another Virginia horse who had an outstanding year. In a thrilling display, the Virginia-certified Gigante, ridden by Joseph Ramos, emerged victorious in the Caesar Handicap Stakes, held at Horseshoe Indianapolis racetrack. With an excellent performance, Gigante was first to cross the wire, winning the race by a nose.
Just two weeks before the race, Gigante was awarded the 2022 Virginia-Bred Two-Year-Old Colt Champion award by the Virginia Thoroughbred Association. Gigante is owned by Lapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing and Trained by Steven Asmussen. He was bred by Ann Mudge Backer & Smitten Farm.
In his career he has made six starts, winning three and earning $260,900. He broke his maiden right here in Virginia last summer at Colonial Downs, before proceeding to win the $125,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes, one of Colonial Downs Stake races for the most prestigious two-year-olds in Virginia.
VTA Executive Director Debbie Easter with Gigantes connection Hunter Merek; Photo by Hannah Jones
Other 2022 Virginia-Bred award winners receiving hardware were Whichwaze (2-Year-Old Filly Champ, Old Chapel Farm LLC), Determined Kingdom (3-Year-Old Champ, Audley Farm Equine), Repo Rocks (Older Horse Champ, Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III), Largent (Turf Horse Champ, Lazy Lane Farms) and Chambeau (Turf Mare Champ, Sam English II).
Other awards were presented to True Valour (Virginia Owned Champ, Larry Johnson), Leave No Trace (Virginia-Certified Horse Champ, Stevica Djuric, Pat Neusch & Anne Bonda Hartman), Susan Cooney (Trainer of the Year) and Amy Moore (Breeder of the Year).
Virginia Thoroughbreds continue to shine as they campaign around the Commonwealth and the nation. Congratulations to all owners and trainers for their hard work and commitment to their horses and the sport of kings!
The 2023 thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs is just around the corner and preparations are underway to make the 9-week meet in New Kent — the first since Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) purchased it — the best ever.
The season will extend from July 13 – September 9 with racing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM. All of Colonial’s races will be televised on FanDuel TV or FanDuel Racing. The barn area in New Kent opened June 19 and training began on June 22.
Colonial’s 180-foot turf course is separated in two — an inner grass course and an outer one.
An average of $600,000-plus in purse money will be distributed daily. A record $5.2 million stakes schedule is highlighted by the relocation of a pair of Grade 1 stakes — the Arlington Million and $500,000 Beverly D — in addition to the $500,000, Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes. Another highlight is the 20th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby on September 9 when $1.3 million in stakes purses will be on the line.
The Arlington Million card, scheduled for Saturday August 12, is being branded as the “Colonial Downs Festival of Racing” program. The Beverly D, which is now a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race in the Filly & Mare Turf division, is on the card along with the Secretariat Stakes — which both will be contested over Colonial’s signature Secretariat Turf Course. The massive grass course, 180 feet in width, is named for the elite Virginia-bred who captured America’s fascination 50 years ago when he won the Triple Crown in record setting fashion at all three legs.
The Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes will be held at Colonial Downs for the first time on August 12.
The August 12 Million date remains on the traditional weekend that the internationally renowned trio of stakes had been held at Arlington International Racecourse — on the second Saturday of August. The Million will be run at 1-1/4 miles, the Beverly D at 1-3/16 miles and the Secretariat at one mile.
The Virginia Derby will carry a purse of $500,000 — $200,000 more than in 2022 — while the purse of its sister race, the (Listed) Virginia Oaks, has been kicked up $50,000 to $250,000 this year. Also on the stakes-filled closing day card is the $150,000 Da Hoss, $150,000 Colonial Cup, $125,000 Rosie’s and $125,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes — all on turf.
Opening Saturday, July 15 features four $125,000 stakes for Virginia-bred/sired horses — the Edward P. Evans at one mile, the Punch Line at 5-1/2 furlongs, the M. Tyson Gilpin/Glen Petty for fillies and mares at 5-1/2 furlongs and the Brookmeade for fillies and mares at 1-1/16 miles.
Red Knight prevailed in the 2022 Colonial Cup at the 1-1/2 miles distance. The 2023 Cup will be part of the Virginia Derby under card.
The next round of stakes featuring Commonwealth connected horses is on Saturday September 2 with the $125,000 Jamestown Stakes for Virginia-bred/sired 2-year-olds at 5-1/2 furlongs along with a four-pack of $150,000 stakes for Virginia-restricted horses — the Meadow Stable for older horses at 5-1/2 furlongs and its female companion race, the Camptown, and the Bert Allen and its filly and mare counterpart, the Nellie Mae Cox, both at 1-1/16 miles.
A pair of NSA steeplechase races will be contested every Friday as races one and two, and unlike the last several years, they will be part of the track’s pari-mutuel offering. In addition to single race wagers, the jump pair can be bet as an early daily double and as part of the early Pick-3’s. Featured steeplechase events this summer include the $75,000 Randolph D. Rouse Stakes on August 11 and the $75,000 Life’s Illusion Stakes on September 8 — both for fillies and mares. The former will be contested at 2-1/4 miles while the latter will be at two miles.
Owner and trainer bonus incentives are a big highlight of the meet too. Owners will receive the greater of $1,000 or their share of purse money from each race while trainers will receive $300 per horse started.
Owners of Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired horses will earn a 50% bonus on 1st through 4th place finishes in all open races. Developers of Virginia-certified horses will earn 25% more for wins in open races and Breeders of Virginia-bred horses will earn awards for all wins at Colonial, in addition to any win in North America.
Ballyerin Racing’s Virginia-bred Kendama, who won a $41,800 starter optional claiming race June 11 at Laurel, could have his sights set on a $125,000 Virginia-bred stakes race at Colonial this summer (Jim McCue photo).
Training on the main track will be available every day but Sunday and turf training will be available one day a week. The first of two condition books is online at colonialdowns.com/horsemen.
Colonial Downs is bringing back the Pick-6 wager for 2023 and will be adding a second daily Pick-5 all at reduced takeout levels. The Old Dominion 6 will be offered as a classic Pick-6 with a 15% takeout on the final six races daily. After a successful debut in 2022, an early and late 50-cent Pick-5 will feature a low 12% takeout rate. The early bet will cover the first five flat races while the late one will include the final five races.
Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) members can enjoy action every day in the VTA’s two Hospitality Sky Suites on the 4th floor of the complex. On race days, VTA members can simply take an elevator to the 4th floor level and present member credentials to receive access to Suites 4 & 5 which feature balcony views overlooking the homestretch. Light appetizers and beverages will be served.
Special event day celebrations will be held as well during the meet. The VTA/VAHBPA Opening Day Picnic will be held in HBPA building on the backstretch from 12 Noon – 3:30 PM on July 13. A similar luncheon will be held on September 2 — Virginia-Restricted Stakes Day — with a location still to be determined. Virginia-Bred Stakes Day on July 15 will include extra hospitality in the suites. A Legislators Day paid event will take place on Arlington Million Day in the two suites and 4th floor Ballroom. Virginia Derby Day festivities have yet to be finalized at press time. More details along with RSVP instructions are available at vabred.org. The annual HBPA Golf Tournament to benefit Shannon Campbell and the Disabled Jockeys Fund will be held Sunday August 13 with details coming soon.
Fans will again enjoy free parking and free admission every day with one exception — “Festival of Racing” day when admission will be $25. Five different giveaway days are scheduled including a Baseball Cap on opening day and T-Shirt on August 11.
