Here is a series of photos from opening night festivities at Colonial Downs from Tuesday July 28. The “spectator-free” meet was delayed by one day when Monday’s originally scheduled card was postponed due to extreme heat advisories. Photos supplied by Coady Photography and the Virginia Equine Alliance.
Colonial Downs races on opening night — and throughout the 2020 season — will be held without spectators.Skies of different colors were evident trackside as neighboring thunderstorms avoided the track itself .Trainer Michael Stidham’s Branco Maria won the first race of the season, which was held on dirt. It was jockey Trevor McCarthy’s first of four wins on the evening.Jockey statues surround the paddock clock area.Fans can watch and wager Colonial Downs racing action at any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium or VA-Horseplay OTB, and online at TVG.com, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com and NYRABets.com.Ferris Allen, Colonial’s leading all time leading trainer, had a win opening night with River Trappe.Trainer Michael Stidham gives a deserving shower to Hansel Stakes winner, Guillaume, who is owned by David Ross. The 2-year-old Hard Spun colt was broken by Madison Meyers of Ballyerin Racing at the Middleburg Training Center.Jockey Forest Boyce rode three winners Tuesday might including a pair for trainer Claude McGaughey.Horse identifier Stan Shina checks horses into the paddock for the first race Tuesday.Jockeys Katie Davis and Trevor McCarthy in the Virginia Racing Commission’s licensing area before the races on Tuesday.Guillaume (#3) came from behind to beat Merchant of Hope (#8) in the Hansel Stakes.Trainer Michael Stidham saddled two winners on Tuesday’s card.First race winner Branco Maria cools off before getting his picture taken.John Marshall, Colonial Downs Executive VP of Operations, is interviewed by Scott Cash of WVEC-TV on Tuesday.
