Winning Horse will Compete in the Iconic Run for the Roses Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced during the annual Festival of Racing that the 2025 Virginia Derby has earned the distinction as a “win and you’re in” qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the landmark event for […]
Author: Darrell Wood
Chenery/Tweedy Family Names Leeanne Meadows Ladin First Recipient of the Inaugural Penny Chenery Award
In keeping with Penny Chenery’s long career of celebrating Secretariat’s legacy, promoting the best in racing, and honoring excellence in Thoroughbred athletes, the inaugural Penny Chenery award was presented to author/historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin of Montpelier, VA. The presentation was made on August 11 at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, VA after the running […]
Virginia Thoroughbred Association’s “Nothing Like It” Campaign Highlights Lucrative Breeders Bonus Program
The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) unveiled a new “Nothing Like It” advertising campaign which emphasizes benefits to breeders of registered Virginia-bred horses — who earn bonuses for finishing first, second and third in any open race in North America. Up until last year, bonuses were only paid to horses who finished first in those races. Additionally, bonuses […]
Winfinity, Candycrumbs Score in Keswick & Hickory Tree 2-Year-Old Dirt Stakes at Colonial Downs
Dream Big Racing, LLC’s Winfinity and Mary Lightner’s Candycrumbs each captured a $150,000 Virginia-Restricted dirt stakes for 2-year-olds August 3 at Colonial Downs in a similar, dramatic come-from-behind running style. The former was 1-1/4 lengths the best in the Keswick for fillies while the latter crossed 1-1/4 lengths in front in the Hickory Tree for […]
Shenandoah Downs Racing Applications for 2024 Fall Meet Are Due August 5
Shenandoah Downs Racing Applications for 2024 Fall Meet Are Due August 5 Just a reminder to horsemen that racing applications for the upcoming fall harness season at Virginia’s Shenandoah Downs are available online and due to the racing office by this coming Monday, August 5. A 7-week meet will run from September 14 – […]
Virginia-Certified Freshmen Line Up for Pair of $150,000 Stakes at Colonial Downs
Bonne Fille breaks her maiden at Colonial Downs on July 11 (Coady Media).
Virginia Racing Commission Appoints Waqas Ahmed as Its Executive Secretary
The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) announced today that it has appointed Waqas Ahmed to serve as its Executive Secretary, effective August 10th. Ahmed brings a wealth of knowledge to the Commission. Most recently, Ahmed served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the agency charged with promoting and regulating horse racing, […]
“Virginia Wins With Horses” TV Commercial Wins Prestigious Telly Award
Richmond, VA-based BES Studios and its client, the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), were awarded a prestigious Telly Award this past week in recognition of a sixty second TV commercial titled “Virginia Wins With Horses” that was submitted in the annual competition which honors excellence in video and television across all screens. BES Studios and the […]
Virginia Trainers, Owners Score Big Early On at Colonial Downs Summer Meet
With Colonial Downs at the one-third mark of its 2024 summer season — and major events like the Festival of Racing Day and Virginia Derby Day still to come — Virginia trainers and connections have made their presence felt often during the first three weeks. Even beyond a four-pack of $125,000 stakes for Virginia-Bred/Sired horses […]
Nominations Set for Colonial Downs’ Festival of Racing Day Card on August 10
New Kent, Va (July 26, 2024) — With purse money totaling $2.5 million over seven stakes, nominations closed Wednesday for the 2024 Colonial Downs Festival of Racing program. Highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 $500,000 Beverly D. and the Grade 2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes, the Festival of Racing is slated for […]
