~ More than $2.8 million in purses were won with a Virginia record of $10.46 million waged from all sources
The August 9 “Festival of Racing” at Colonial Downs in New Kent featured $2.8 million in prize money and $10.46 million wagered from all sources, both new one-day records for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The day also featured Colonial Downs’ first Kentucky Derby winner on the track with 2024 winner Mystik Dan, as well as the last three Kentucky Derby winning jockeys.
Fort Washington wins the Arlington Million (Coady Media).
“With a record amount of prize money, a record amount of wagers from around the world, high-profile jockeys, horses, and trainers, and thousands of excited race fans from near and far, the 2025 Festival of Racing was truly the biggest day of racing in Virginia history,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “The Festival of Racing kicks off the second half of our summer race season, so we hope new and returning fans will come out to experience the thrill of live racing in the weeks ahead.”
In the day’s premier race, the $1 million Arlington Million was won by Fort Washington with jockey Junior Alvarado (winner of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes) for trainer Claude McGaughey III and owners Magic Cap Stables.
“I wanted to make sure he got comfortable. He’s a tricky horse to ride sometimes. When he’s at his best, you know it right away,” said Alvarado of his winning horse Fort Washington. “Today I felt that going into the first turn. I wanted to make sure I saved enough ground so that I had a big punch at the end. When I swung out in the clearing he finished up very strong. My horse has a powerful turn of foot.”
The $500,000 Beverly D. stakes was won by Charlene’s Dream with jockey Javier Castellano for trainer Ed Moger, Jr. and owner Domeyko Taylor LP.
“I let her go, let her roll,” Castellano said. “It worked out perfectly. She stayed engaged when Be Your Best took it to her in the stretch, and when I asked her for more, she responded for me. I am very proud of her.”
The $500,000 Secretariat Stakes was won by Giocoso with jockey Ben Curtis for trainer Keith Desormeaux and owner Rocker O. Ranch.
“The mile was always going to suit him,” Curtis said. “A couple went forward and I got a beautiful sit. He relaxed beautifully on the back. When the seam came, I had so much horse, I knew he was going to take it. We know he stays, so I had all the boxes ticked.”
The 2025 Festival of Racing included a moving tribute to Virginia’s veterans and military families, a special presentation of a $25,000 contribution from Churchill Downs Incorporated to the Virginia Veterans Foundation, live music from American Idol standout and New Kent County native Grayson Torrence, a classic race day hat contest, and family friendly entertainment.
The live racing season continues every Wednesday through Saturday until Saturday, September 13 with a special race card on Labor Day and free admission nearly every day. Remaining Premium Racing Events include Wiener Dog Races (August 23) and Old Dominion Derby Day (September 6) with General Admission tickets available for just $5.
