Colonial Downs® 2023 Racing Season Starts Thursday, July 13

NEW KENT, Va. (July 10, 2023) – The iconic Churchill Downs is bringing live racing back to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County. Weekend racing returns with top Thoroughbred horses from around the country every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with post time at 1:30 p.m. Also new this year are three high level stakes races at Colonial Downs showcased as part of the new Colonial Downs Festival of Racing card on Saturday August 12 featuring the prestigious Arlington Million, Beverly D. and Secretariat Stakes. It is expected to be the biggest day in Virginia horse racing history. Premium tickets, full racing schedule and information are available at www.colonialdowns.com

Family activities and entertainment will be offered trackside every Saturday with a new family friendly zone. Each Saturday will feature a rotation of activities including a petting zoo, face painters, a bounce house and more. Additionally, there will be five premium giveaway days. Baseball Caps will be distributed Opening Day, Thursday, July 13 followed by Plush Horses Friday, July 28, T-Shirts on Friday, August 11, Clear Stadium Bags on Friday, August 28 and Water Bottles on Friday, September 1.

Additionally, Colonial Downs is partnering with a new food and experience provider, Oak View Group (OVG), this season. Highlights include an outdoor Grab & Go marketplace concept with vendors including: The Sausage Guy (sausage, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and fries), CM Concessions (freshly squeezed lemonade, cotton candy, fresh popcorn), Shake It Up (Milkshakes, etc.) and Bavarian Pretzels. The Jockey Club restaurant has a new Chef’s Table buffet menu and the 1609 Club will feature a bistro-style menu.

“It’s an exciting time for Colonial Downs and New Kent County in 2023,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations. “The goal is to provide our guests a terrific experience and with the return of weekend racing, world class stakes races and new amenities, we are on the right path this season.”

Ken Gaber, President, OVG Hospitality commented, “We are thrilled to join forces with Churchill Downs Inc. to increase our presence in horse racing and take the fan experience at Colonial Downs to new heights. We believe fans deserve the very best, from food service offerings to efficient and quality service, and are pleased to welcome Colonial Downs into the OVG Hospitality family. We can’t wait to get started.”

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.

About OVG360 

OVG360, a division of Oak View Group, is a full-service venue management and hospitality company that helps client-partners reimagine the sports, live entertainment, and convention industries for the betterment of the venue, employees, artists, athletes, and surrounding communities. With a portfolio of more than 240 client-partners spanning arenas, stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairs around the globe, OVG360 provides a set of services, resources and expertise designed to elevate every aspect of business that matters to venue operators. Service-oriented and driven by social responsibility, OVG360 helps facilities drive value through excellence and innovation in food services, booking and content development, sustainable operations, public health, public safety and more.

Nominations for Virginia-Bred Stakes Day at Colonial Downs, which headlines opening week festivities on Saturday July 15 with a four-pack of $125,000 turf stakes for Virginia-bred and Virgnia-sired horses, closed on July 1. 

The top three finishers in the 2022 Edward P. Evans Stakes were among 20 who nominated for the one-mile turf test open to three-year-olds and up. Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Largent, Ten Strike Racing’s Alex Joon and Ballyerin Racing’s Kendama may be poised for a rematch.

In addition to last year’s Evans victory, Largent captured the 2020 edition along with the Bert Allen Stakes the same year. The 7-year-old Into Mischief gelding, bred by Lazy Lane Farms, has bankrolled $609,320 from seven wins and five seconds. Alex Joon, who finished one-half length behind Largent, has earned $232,399 from 25 starts. In addition to his second, the 6-year-old Flatter gelding won a turf allowance at Colonial one month after the Evans. Kendama took third in both the Evans and Bert Allen Stakes and sandwiched a second between the pair in a New Kent turf allowance. The 6-year-old Uncle Mo gelding was bred by Audley Farm Equine. 

The top three Punch Line Stakes finishers from last year also nominated including D Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock’s Determined Kingdom, who prevailed by a convincing 5 ½ lengths. The 4-year-old Animal Kingdom gelding was also best in the ’21 Jamestown Stakes. The Phil Schoenthal trainee, also bred by Audley Farm Equine, has earned $250,189 from 15 outings. Larry Johnson’s Embolden, the Punch Line runner-up, also took second in the ’20 Evans and reached the winners circle in the ’19 Jamestown. The Michael Trombetta trainee has a robust $342,641 bankroll. Ed & Susie Orr’s Boldor finished third in the ’22 Punch Line and won the Meadow Stable Stakes last summer. The Steve Asmussen trainee captured the 2021 Punch Line and boasts a bankroll of $562,183. 

Reiley McDonald’s 7-year-old Hold Me Back gelding Passion Play nominated as well. In 2021, he won both the Evans and Bert Allen Stakes. The Mary Eppler trainee has a career bankroll of $311,497 from 26 starts. In all, 23 horses, age three and up, nominated for the 18^th running of the Punch Line to be contested at 5 ½ furlongs.

2022 M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes winner Chambeau heads a list of 17 nominees to the 2023 edition, slated for fillies and mares three and up at 5 ½ furlongs. Owned and bred by Sam English II, the lightly raced 6-year-old Karakontie mare has made just five life starts — all last year.  Robert D. Bone and Edward J. Brown Jr.’s Carolina Sun, second in last year’s Gilpin, also nominated. The 4-year-old Summer Front filly, bred by Susan Cooney, had a trio of top three finishes at Colonial last summer. Stonestreet Stables’ Aisha R N, an Asmussen trainee, nominated as well and is fresh off a turf allowance triumph at Lone Star May 11. This year’s stakes has been renamed to also include former VTA Executive Director Glenn Petty in its title, along with Gilpin. 

The Brookmeade Stakes, for fillies and mares three and up at 1 1/16^th miles, attracted 15 nominations including Chambeau — also nominated for the Gilpin/Petty — and ’22 Jamestown runner-up Bee Mountain. The latter is trained by Ferris Allen and was bred by Audley Farm Equine. Another nominee — Morgan’s Ford Farm’s Surya — had a maiden special weight and an allowance turf win at Colonial last summer. The 4-year-old daughter of Street Sense is trained by Brittany Russell. 

Entries close for the Commonwealth four-pack on Wednesday July 12. Colonial Downs ushers in its annual summer racing season Thursday September 13 at 1:30 PM. The 9-week campaign continues through September 9 with cards every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:30 PM. 

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.  

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 1-1/16^th 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 15^th 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.

9-Week Racing Season Begins Thursday, July 13

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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 Revenue That 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.

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.”

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 1^st 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.  

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.

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.

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.

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!