Colonial Downs Racetrack
Address: 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent, VA 23124
Website: www.colonialdowns.com
Meeting: After a lengthy hiatus that lasted six years, racing returned to Colonial Downs in 2019 with a 15-day meet in August and September. The racetrack’s marquee race, the Grade 3 Virginia Derby, was resurrected to assume its former role as the meet’s main fixture, and the revamped schedule also included several lucrative stakes races for Virginia-breds, as well as the Virginia Oaks. The turf-centric meet boasted record purses and was well-received by horseplayers and fans alike.
History: One of the newer racetracks in existence, Colonial Downs first opened for business on September 1, 1997. Located in eastern Virginia, the track was built to be one of the largest in the country but was accompanied by a relatively small clubhouse. Colonial has always been closely tied to Maryland racing, and until 2005 was operated by the Maryland Jockey Club. Colonial is known predominantly for turf racing, and in fact it has two turf courses, a 7 ½-furlong inner course and a 1 ⅛-mile outer one, to go along with a 1 ¼-mile dirt main track. The track shuttered in 2013 due to a dispute between track management and horsemen’s group, but was reopened in 2019 to much acclaim.
Facilities: Colonial Downs has a 1 ¼-mile dirt main track, a 1 ⅛-mile outer turf course, and a 7 ½-furlong inner course. In 2018, historical racing machines were installed at the track which function similarly to slot machines. On-track dining features 1609, a gourmet restaurant, and the Whiskey Bar.
2019 Takeout Rates
WPS: 16%
Exacta: 20%
Trifecta: 20%
Superfecta: 20%
DD: 20%
Pick-3: 20%
Pick-4: 20%
Pick-5: 12%
Skates Schedules:
Date - Race - Purse - Age/Sex - Distance
10-Aug - M. Tyson Gilpin (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up, f/m - 5.5f T
10-Aug - Nellie Mae Cox (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up, f/m - 8f T
10-Aug - The Meadow Stable (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up - 5.5f T
10-Aug - Edward Evans (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up - 8f T
17-Aug - Chesapeake - $75,000 - 3&up - 6f
17-Aug - The Da Hoss - $75,000 - 3&up - 5.5f T
24-Aug - Old Nelson Starter Hcp. - $75,000 - 3&up - 9.5f T
31-Aug - Grade 3 Virginia Derby - $250,000 - 3yos - 9f T
31-Aug - Virginia Oaks - $150,000 - 3yo, f - 9f T
31-Aug - Kitten’s Joy - $100,000 - 2yo - 8.5f T
31-Aug - Rosie’s - $100,000 - 2yo - 5.5f T
07-Sep - Punchline (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up - 5.5f T
07-Sep - Brookmeade (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up, f/m - 9f T
07-Sep - The Camptown (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up, f/m - 5.5f T
07-Sep - Jamestown (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 2yo - 5.5f T
07-Sep - Bert Allen (VA-bred) - $100,000 - 3&up - 9f T
07-Sep - Randolph D. Rouse - $50,000 - 4&up, f/m - 18f T*