In the Virginia racing dates dispute, will a new proposal that’s really an old proposal bring the horsemen and Colonial Downs together?
Colonial Downs on Friday undertook what’s become an annual rite of spring: torching its turf course to promote regrowth. With a gallery of the burn.
The Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association fired back today at Colonial Downs’s efforts to organize a rival horsemen’s group.
In a letter and a release, Colonial Downs today outlined its vision for the future of Virginia racing — one which does not include the Virginia HBPA.
Colonial Downs escalated its conflict with Virginia horsemen, calling for a new group to replace the HBPA and support its drive for “highest quality” racing.
On Friday Colonial Downs will set its turf course ablaze to remove dead grass and facilitate new growth. It’s open to the public, and who doesn’t love a fire?
In the Horseplayers Association of North America’s latest track rankings, Atlantic City has surged to the head of the regional class.
Whether there will be a Thoroughbred meet at Colonial Downs in 2014 remains up in the air — but the track will host jump races, Saturday’s Dogwood Classic.
New proposals from Colonial Downs — perhaps including a split meet — could end a standoff with horsemen. But no resolution is expected until at least mid-April.
With the ticking of the clock growing louder each day, the shape of a compromise between Colonial Downs and Virginia’s horsemen may have begun to emerge.
