Thursday (8/8) Race Card Moved to Monday (8/12); Friday (8/9) Race Card Moved to Tuesday (8/13)

NEW KENT, VA., (August 6, 2024) – Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced today the decision to reschedule live racing on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9 to Monday, August 12 and Tuesday August 13, respectively.

The decision to reschedule was made in consideration of the possible impact caused by Tropical Storm Debby leading to adverse racing conditions as well as safety concerns for those shipping in or traveling to participate.

The team at Colonial Downs is currently working closely with experts in the field to determine if the risk of heavy rain will impact the timing of the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing on Saturday, August 10. A decision on those scheduled races is expected by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, when more accurate data is available.

Dream Big Racing, LLC’s Winfinity and Mary Lightner’s Candycrumbs each captured a $150,000 Virginia-Restricted dirt stakes for 2-year-olds August 3 at Colonial Downs in a similar, dramatic come-from-behind running style. The former was 1-1/4 lengths the best in the Keswick for fillies while the latter crossed 1-1/4 lengths in front in the Hickory Tree for colts & geldings. The stakes, contested at 5-1/2 furlongs, were open to Virginia-Bred, Virginia-Sired and Virginia-Certified horses.  

Winfinity, making her first lifetime start, was last through much of her stakes as Diakonissa controlled the field early until Sail Theseven Seas gained the lead at the top of the stretch. Jockey Tyler Conner led Winfinity into fifth coming out of the turn and surged on the far outside late passing four frontrunners including Sail Theseven Seas in deep stretch. 

The winner, a Not This Time filly, is trained by John Alexnder Ortiz and was bred by Ann Mudge Backer/Smitten Farm. She paid $25.80 in her first career start. 

“She’s a big girl,” said jockey Tyler Conner. “I’d never been on her before. She was just green and didn’t know what she was doing up there. She was all over the place, running everywhere. She straightened up when she hit the top of the stretch though and just kept surging.”

Larry Johnson and RDM Racing Stable’s Sail Theseven Seas finished second and Barak Farm’s Safe Trust finished third.  

Candycrumbs, a Valiant Minister colt fresh off a runner-up at Gulfstream in his career bow June 8th, was last in tenth place through the 3/8^th mark, moved up to sixth at the top of the stretch and won by 1-1/2 lengths over Do It For Michael. The winner, who paid $14.00, was ridden by Trevor Mccarthy for Lightner, who is both trainer and owner. 

“When he got squeezed at the start, it was really a blessing,” said jockey Trevor McCarthy. “Everyone has the same mentality in these two-year-old races. When I saw the race before mine (Keswick Stakes), the winner came outside and was running late, and I said great. My horse took to the dirt really well. He switched leads and once we got into the turn, there were a lot of horses wide and I just sat at the rail for a while. He got into a really good rhythm and once we hit the stretch, I just said we’re going wheel it and fire. He’s got a lot of talent.” 

No Guts No Glory Farm’s Do It For Michael finished second while Lynn Ashby and William Gotwals’ Re Markably took third.  

Colonial Downs cancelled the final two races on its nine-race card due to storms in the area.  The summer racing season in New Kent resumes with a 12-race program Thursday August 8 at 11:45 AM. The “Festival of Racing” card, which features seven stakes including the G1 Arlington Million, is set for Saturday August 10 and will feature a rare appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales.   

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) unveiled a new “Nothing Like It” advertising campaign which emphasizes benefits to breeders of registered Virginia-bred horses — who earn bonuses for finishing first, second and third in any open race in North America. 

Up until last year, bonuses were only paid to horses who finished first in those races. Additionally, bonuses will be paid to the breeders of top three finishers at Colonial Downs and at National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned meets. In 2023, the first year this expanded program went into effect, payouts were 34% of purses earned. 

In order to qualify, a mare must be in Virginia by September 1 and reside there until she foals the following spring. The definition of a Virginia-bred thoroughbred horse is one that is foaled in the Commonwealth, whose dam resides at a Virginia participating facility from September 1st of the year of the foal’s conception through the foal’s date of birth, is registered by the Jockey Club, and is registered with the VTA.       

In addition to Breeder incentives, Owners and Developers of Virginia-bred horses also have opportunities to earn bonuses. Owners earn a 50% bonus when their Virginia-bred horse finishes first through fourth in an open race at Colonial Downs. 

Developers are eligible for a maximum 25% bonus for winning open races — including those at NSA meets — at tracks in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. There is a $10,000 cap on each individual award. A developer is defined as the person or entity listed on the chart as owner when a Virginia-bred horse makes its first lifetime start.

“Virginia’s racing and breeding industry has a lot of momentum now,” said VTA Executive Director Debbie Easter. “From our horsemen incentive programs to expanded racing opportunities at Colonial Downs beginning next year, these positive developments make it a perfect time now for horsemen, both locally and out-of-state, to invest in Virginia and reap the benefits of our breeder incentive programs. The future here looks healthy and robust.”

More details on the VTA’s incentive programs can be found at vabred.org.