Bob McKim’s Kalispel and Clifton Green’s KNL Neely Girl captured respective colt and filly trotting divisions in the first ever Virginia Sire Stakes races ever held at Shenandoah Downs this weekend. McKim’s trotter wired the eight-horse field in 2:02 2/5 and crossed six lengths the best in 2:02 2/5, After cutting initial panels of :30 2/5, […]
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Peter Vegso, Three Time Virginia Derby Winning Owner Reflects On His Success at Colonial Downs
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 […]
From tradition to growth: Shenandoah Downs celebrates $2 million expansion
*Written by Ryan Fitzmaurice for the Northern Virginia Daily, published on September 3rd, 2025.* Harness racing in Virginia has weathered more than a century at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds. On Friday, that tradition turns a new page when state and local leaders cut the ribbon on a $2 million, 172-stall barn, a project the Virginia […]
Whenigettoheaven Fights Back for $100,000 Meadow Stable Score; Hollywood Walk Repeats in $100,000 Camptown
Saturday’s card at Colonial Downs featured a pair of Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified handicaps, with Ken Ramsey’s 6-year-old gelding Whenigettoheaven taking the $100,000 Meadow Stable and The Estate of R. Larry Johnson’s mare Hollywood Walk defending her crown in the $100,000 Camptown. Trained by Nolan Ramsey and ridden by J.G. Torrealba, Whenigettoheaven went straight to […]
WORLD RECORD HOLDER DONCHO TO RUN IN $150,000 DA HOSS STAKES
Trainer Michelle Lovell confirmed that JAL Racing’s Doncho, who earlier this month set a world record going 5½ furlongs on turf, will be entering the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes on Old Dominion Derby Day at Colonial Downs. Doncho had also been entered in Sunday’s Disco Partner Stakes at Saratoga but will scratch from that race. […]
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 — […]
Shenandoah County Fair Harness Track Crew Member John Pence Celebrate 50 Years of Service This Week
Edinburg, Virginia native John Pence is an avid supporter and fan of the Shenandoah County Fair which kicked off its 106th edition Monday and continues at the grounds in Woodstock through Saturday August 30th. Pence is so avid in fact that he hasn’t missed a day at the Fair in 60 years. And he’s not […]
NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR OLD DOMINION DERBY DAY’S SIX TURF STAKES AT COLONIAL DOWNS
Nominations have been released for the six turf stakes set for Old Dominion Derby Day on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Colonial Downs. Featuring $1.3 million in total purses, the Grade 3, $500,000 Old Dominion Derby headlines the card, alongside the $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks (Listed), $150,000 Colonial Cup, $150,000 Da Hoss, $125,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s […]
Colonial Downs Stakes Advances: DEFENDING CHAMPIONS RETURN IN SATURDAY’S MEADOW STABLE AND CAMPTOWN AT COLONIAL DOWNS
The Estate of R. Larry Johnson sends out the defending champions of Saturday’s $100,000 Meadow Stable and $100,000 Camptown, as trainer Mike Trombetta’s runners Determined Kingdom and Hollywood Walk headline the sibling 5½-furlong turf sprint handicaps for older Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified Thoroughbreds at Colonial Downs. With nine races on tap, the Camptown is slated […]
TROMBETTA SWEEPS JUVENILE TURF STAKES AT COLONIAL DOWNS
Trainer Mike Trombetta swept Saturday’s pair of juvenile turf sprints at Colonial Downs, as both the Estate of Larry Johnson’s colt Doubting Thomas and Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds’ filly Just Philtored wired their respective Virginia-bred, -sired or -certified fields in the $125,000 Jamestown and $125,000 Dolley Madison. With Jorge Ruiz […]
