Originally Posted on the Secretariat for Virginia Monthly Newsletter for July 2023
SECRETARIAT EXCITEMENT AT COLONIAL DOWNS ON AUGUST 12th!
They may as well call it “Secretariat Day” at Colonial Downs on August 12! Our “Secretariat Racing Into History” monument will be there along with sculptor Jocelyn Russell and the Secretariat For Virginia Team. The Secretariat Stakes, with a $500,000 purse, is one of the major races that day to be run on the Secretariat Turf Course, the largest turf (grass) course in America. It is a one-mile race for three-year-old turf horses. Secretariat was one of those rare Thoroughbreds who could win on both turf and dirt. Kate Chenery Tweedy will present the Secretariat Stakes trophy. Two other prestigious races will be showcased – the Arlington Million with a $1 million purse and the Beverly D. Stakes with a $500,000 purse. Colonial Downs is calling this the biggest day in Virginia racing history! For more information about the full race program and tickets, see www.colonialdowns.com.
MEET US IN MIDDLEBURG!
Before he rolls into Colonial Downs, Secretariat will be in Middleburg on August 8 and 9. Fresh from a star-studded stay at Saratoga, the monument will be welcomed back to Virginia with a reception at the Middleburg Community Center. Our friends at the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation are hosting this from 5-7 pm, followed by a free showing of the Secretariat movie. Kate Tweedy, who was in the film with her mother, Penny Chenery, will share her behind-the-scenes experience on the movie set. She and Jocelyn Russell will do a Q&A after the movie. Copies of Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend written by Kate Tweedy and Leeanne Meadows Ladin, will be available for purchase to benefit Loudoun Therapeutic Riding. For ticket info, see www.ltrf.org
On August 9, our Big Red bronze will be displayed in front of the National Sporting Library and Museum. The museum will host a reception and presentations by Kate Tweedy and Jocelyn Russell from 5-8 pm. Kate will discuss Secretariat’s enduring popularity with fans and his continuing influence on Thoroughbred racing. Jocelyn will describe her creative process of sculpting the monument, as well as her travels on the anniversary tour. See ticket info at www.nationalsporting.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE VIRGINIA DERBY SEPTEMBER 9
Secretariat Racing into History will race over to Colonial Downs once more for the Virginia Derby on September 9. Concluding his whirlwind Triple Crown Tour, this will be his final appearance on a racetrack. How fitting for this to top off his tour and the summer racing season on our own Virginia track! See www.colonialdowns.com for more info.
HELP THE SECVA CAMPAIGN GET OVERTHE FINISH LINE!
While the monument’s tour is coming to a close, our fundraising is still very much in progress. We’ve had an amazingly successful summer, but the project needs about $125,000 to cover final installation costs. Your contribution will help place our hometown hero in a setting truly worthy of his legendary stature and Virginia roots.
PLEASE GO TO WWW.ASHLANDMUSEUM.ORG to make your tax-deductible donation soon!
As always, stay tuned to SecretariatForVirginia.com and our social media for future updates.
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Questions?
Contact Wayne Dementi (804)363-0160