By Frank Cotolo, for Meadowlands Media Relations (Lisa photo) How about two Virginia-Certified harness horses reaching millionaire status within two weeks of each other! Three-year-old colt pacer Louprint became the very first Virginia-Certified million dollar earning standardbred June 14 after capturing the Pepsi North American Cup then on June 28, 5-year-old trotting mare Call Me […]
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Camels, Ostriches & Zebras to Take the Track On First Friday at Colonial Downs
Central Virginia personalities will race exotic animals on Friday, July 11 between live thoroughbred racing; Kids and guests can meet and pet the animals prior to racing~ On Friday, July 11—the first Friday of the 2025 summer meet—Colonial Downs will welcome some very unusual competitors as camels, ostriches, and zebras compete in live races at […]
Colonial Downs Barn Area Opens & Training Begins; 41-Day Summer Meet Set to Kick Off July 9
The Colonial Downs stable area opened June 23rd and training will begin two days later on Wednesday June 25 as preparations continue for a ten-week thoroughbred meet in New Kent — the longest in years — which begins July 9 and continues thru September 13. A four-day race week will be in place this meet […]
Virginia Horsemen Incentive Programs Mirror Rise of Racing Dates & Purse Monies
The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA) is riding a wave of momentum as the state’s horse racing scene continues to grow, triggered by the success of Historical Horse Racing wagering handle at seven different Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums spread across the Commonwealth. That success has led to 44 days of racing at Colonial Downs in 2025, up from […]
Shenandoah Downs Spring Season Concludes; “By The Numbers” Meet Review
Shenandoah Downs recently completed the spring portion of its “Ten Years of Racing in Woodstock” campaign for 2025 which featured a seven-week spring meet that ran from April 26 – June 8. The season was highlighted by a slate of Virginia Breeder’s Fund 3-year-old divisional championships for pacers and trotters of both sexes who competed […]
Kat’s Fancy Sets Divisional Track Record in Virginia Breeder’s 3-Year-Old Filly Trot at Shenandoah Downs
Jane Dunavant’s Kat’s Fancy got to the front in Saturday’s $89,600 Virginia Breeder’s 3-Year-Old Filly Trot field at Shenandoah Downs, held off challenges from stablemate Peggy’s Girl and betting choice Caviart Glory without ever relinquishing the lead, then surged to a one-half length win in 1:56 1/5. The time established a new track record in […]
Virginia Breeder’s 3-Year-Old Championships Highlight Shenandoah Downs Closing Weekend Festivities
Shenandoah Downs closes out its 2025 spring meet with a pair of 12-race cards this weekend highlighted by a 4-pack of Virginia Breeder’s 3-Year-Old Championship bouts and a tight race for top trainer honors that should go right down to the wire. Post time is 3:05 PM Saturday and 1:05 PM on Sunday. Cary Grady’s […]
Sophomore Pacers & Trotters Compete in Virginia Breeder’s Elimination Races at Shenandoah Downs
Virginia Breeders elimination races for 3-year-old pacers and trotters kicked off this weekend at Shenandoah Downs, the first time the series has ever been held in spring. Trotters took center stage Saturday while pacers battled Sunday in gorgeous spring weather conditions. Fastest mile Sunday was authored by Jane Dunavant’s Proper Lady in the $8,000 Filly Pace’s […]
Steve Wetzel, 2021 “Own a Horse for a Day” Contest Winner, is now Leading Trainer at Shenandoah Downs
Former VHHA “Own a Horse for a Day” promotional contest winner and local resident Steve Wetzel — now an actual harness owner and trainer — won four races at Shenandoah Downs over the weekend to soar to the top of the trainer standings. Wetzel entered the weekend with four wins and followed up with a […]
Recap of the 100th running of the Virginia Gold Cup
*Story originally posted on nationalsteeplechaseassociation.com on 5/7/2025, written by Emma Cary, Photos courtesy of Douglas Lees* Despite some ominous weather in Virginia, fan turnout was undeterred as the Virginia Gold Cup celebrated its 100th anniversary. Six races were on tap at Great Meadow Race Course – a seventh was cancelled when storms blew in – […]
