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Live horse racing returns to Colonial Downs after 5 year absence

Posted at 12:24 PM, Aug 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-08 12:45:24-04

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. -- After a five year absence, live horse racing is returning to Virginia Thursday at Colonial Downs for a 15 day meet.

Racing will run on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from August 8 through September 7 and will feature approximately $7.5 million in total purses.

Colonial Downs will now feature a newly named Secretariat Turf Course, named after the 1973 Triple Crown winner whose name is synonymous with horseracing. Secretariat was born at Meadow Stable in Doswell.

Colonial Downs closed in 2014 after the ownership group squabbled with state regulators. Now, a new ownership group, the Colonial Downs group, has committed to invest $300 million and add more than 800 new jobs to the Commonwealth in an effort to revitalize Virginia’s horse industry.

The group hopes to grow horse racing at the site in large part through revenue from historical horse racing machines. Virginia lawmakers signed off on allowing the machines in 2018.

The Colonial Downs Group has opened Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in New Kent, Vinton, and Richmond, with a Hampton location set to open later this year.

“Today’s opening is the culmination of years of hard work and tremendous collaboration among Virginia’s political leaders, equine industry and the more than 800 people who are now part of the Colonial Downs and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium teams,” said Aaron Gomes, chief operating officer for Colonial Downs Group. “We are so proud of what we have accomplished, and we are literally just out of the gate in Virginia!”

Admission to the New Kent County racetrack is free during the 15 day meet. Free general admission will provide apron access with track and paddock-side viewing, covered bench seating and access to the Paddock Bar and Homestretch Hospitality tent.

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