Colonial Downs cancels, Pneumatic plans, more: The week in social media

by Chelsea Lowman | Aug 21, 2020 | Breaking, Business, Regionwide, Top Stories

Racing at Colonial Downs. Photo by Nick Hahn.

Colonial Downs announced an abrupt end to its 2020 summer meet, the recent Pegasus Stakes winner is targeting the Preakness Stakes, and Chalon scored powerfully in the Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Here is the 411 on what racing fans in the Mid-Atlantic region have been talking about on social media over the past week:

Colonial cancels

Disappointing news broke surrounding Colonial Downs Racetrack when it was announced that the remainder of its 2020 race meet will be canceled because of complications surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

After reportedly several jockeys, including leading rider Trevor McCarthy, and others based at the track, located in New Kent County,VA, tested positive for the virus, the track felt that it was in the best interest of all involved to put an end to the 2020 summer meet. As a result of the sudden closing, a total of 11 race cards scheduled to take place at Colonial Downs will not be run this year, including the card that was poised to have the Virginia Derby, which was set to take place on September 1.

The track had the following to say about their difficult decision:

“Colonial Downs Group places the health and safety of our team, partners and visitors as our top priority. We established thorough protocols prior to the 2020 racing season to address any issues that may arise from the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of recent test results at the track in New Kent County, and in an abundance of caution, Colonial Downs is cancelling the remainder of its 2020 meet. In making our decision, we collaborated with the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent Protection Association (VHBPA) and Virginia Racing Commission. We have communicated the outcome with all participating parties. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support.

This was a difficult decision, but the best one for Virginia’s racing community. We are already starting to make plans for the 2021 meet at Colonial Downs and are optimistic for a safe return in a better health environment for our nation, state and community.”

Pneumatic to be Preakness-bound

Over the past weekend the final prep for the rescheduled Kentucky Derby took place at Monmouth Park, with Pneumatic sweeping to victory in the Pegasus Stakes. Although the three-year-old son of Uncle Mo picked up enough points to be a contender in the “Run for the Roses” this September, the connections of the colt made the decision to sit out the Derby and instead aim for a shot in the Preakness Stakes October 3.

Originally scheduled to take place on May 16, the Preakness Stakes was moved to October 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Similarly, the Kentucky Derby, which is traditionally run on the first Saturday of May, is now slated to take place September 5.

Pneumatic’s score in the 1 1/16-mile Pegasus Stakes was the third win of his five-race career so far, and his first stakes victory to date. Earlier in the year, the dark bay colt had finished a solid third in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes before his fourth-place effort in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, which kicked off the Triple Crown series this year.

Owned and bred by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and trained by Steve Asmussen, Pneumatic has banked current career earnings of $256,850.

Maybe not incredible, but pretty good Revenge for Chalon

The Incredible Revenge Stakes took place at Monmouth Park on August 16, with Chalon getting the money for her second stakes win in a row.

The $75,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes was moved off the turf due to soggy and stormy weather on race day, and the change in surface played into Chalon’s hands… err, hooves. Sent off as the 3/5 favorite under jockey Paco Lopez, the six-year-old daughter of Dialed In conquered her challengers by a convincing length, stopping the clock in a final time of 1:05.32 for the 5 ½ furlong dash through the slop.

Bronx Beauty and Sunny Dale completed the trifecta.

A winner of nine races from twenty-one starts, Chalon had won the Dashing Beauty Stakes a month earlier at Delaware Park. Owned by Lael Stables, Chalon, who was a $550,000 purchase at the age of three, is conditioned by trainer Arnaud Delacour. To date, the bay mare has collected earnings of $971,895.