Meet Peter Vegso, publisher of the popular “Chicken Soup for the Souls” series of books — and the winningest horse owner in Virginia Derby history. His powerhouse trio of homebred horses — Orchard Park, Silver Tree and Go Between — captured Virginia’s 3-year-old turf showcase at Colonial Downs in 2002, 2003 & 2006 respectively. Legendary […]
Author: Darrell Wood
Quest Realty’s Amrit Takes Grand Champion Honors at 2025 Virginia Breeder’s Fund Yearling Futurity
Congratulations to Quest Realty’s Amrit who took top honors in the $40,000 Virginia Breeder’s Fund 2025 Yearling Futurity held August 24 at the Warrenton Horse Show Grounds. Winner of the Virginia-Bred/Sired colt & gelding class, Amrit advanced to the final round — as did the top two finishers from four different classes that morning — […]
Attracting the Next Generation of Racing Fans is a Passion For Reisman, Schmidt
Meet 24-year-old Tanner Reisman and 31-year-old Timothy Schmidt, the youthful brains behind a new company called Next Gen Thoroughbreds, whose goal is to introduce horse racing to a younger generation via tools like a weekly podcast and social media network. Their passion is to not just create new racing fans, but to open the eyes […]
Colonial Downs Starter Ed Bubolz’s Work in the Morning Shows in the Afternoon
Meet Ed Bubolz, the starter at Colonial Downs who works intently in the mornings just so he is able push a button nine times at different points of the afternoon. Bubolz oversees every detail associated with loading a field of horses into the starting gate prior to a race and then hoping for — and […]
On Biggest Day of Horse Racing in Virginia History, Fort Washington Claims Arlington Million
Just Philtored, Trendsetter Prevail in Virginia-Restricted Keswick & Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial
Courtesy of The Racing Biz, written by Frank Vespe A pair of promising 2-year-olds kept their records spotless Saturday (August 2) at Colonial Downs with stakes wins in Virginia-restricted company, as Just Philtored held off a determined challenger in the $100,000 Keswick Stakes for fillies and Trendsetter came flying late to capture the $100,000 Hickory […]
Trainer Danielle Hodsdon, with 14 Wins in 19 Years, Wins Twice Within Five Minutes
Meet horse trainer Danielle Hodsdon who has saddled horses on and off for 19 years and has reached the winner’s circle 14 times. Her history at Colonial Downs goes back decades though. She rode in her first sanctioned steeplechase race there — and broke her collarbone in that event — during the infamous Strawberry Hill […]
Meet Longtime Colonial Downs Valet Rich Ramkhelawan
Meet horse racing valet Rich Ramkhelawan, one of the unsung, passionate staff members that help ensure race days at Colonial Downs roll along seamlessly. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Rich has worked at the New Kent track from day one, going back to September, 1997. In Rich’s world, the word ‘valet’ is pronounced with […]
Colonial Downs Prepares for Biggest Day of Racing in History this Saturday
~ 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and other high-profile horses will compete for more than $2.5 million in prize money over twelve races during 2025 Festival of Racing; Festival day to feature live music and family-friendly activities because The Race is Just the Start ~ NEW KENT, Va. (August 4, 2025)—Colonial Downs Racetrack is […]
Gil Short Comes Full Circle in Virginia, From Initial Colonial Downs Constuction Manager to New Standardbred Horse Farm Builder
Meet Gil Short, a key figure in the development, launch and early operation of Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, who is back in the area building another equine facility — though this one isn’t geared to accommodate hundreds of horses and thousands of fans. Short was responsible for Colonial’s planning and impressive design back […]
