Determined Kingdom defended his title in the Punch Line Stakes to top a Colonial Downs card with four stakes for Virginia-breds.
The first horses arrived at Colonial Downs June 19 as the track begins in earnest go gear up for its 27-day 2023 meet.
Virginia races contested in Maryland played a significant role in the career of Va-bred Queen Caroline, who became the dam of Kentucky Derby favorite Forte.
Forte’s rise to Kentucky Derby favorite has been a special journey for his breeder, Virginia-based Amy Moore, owner of dam Queen Caroline.
The Virginia-certified residency program, which encourages people to send young horses to Virginia, will operate with new limitations this year.
Its new owners are bullish about moving Colonial Downs to a Thursday-Saturday schedule, but they acknowledge the challenges ahead.
Colonial Downs will maintain a 27-day, nine-week schedule in 2023, but those live days will be Thursday through Saturday, the track announced.
Jill Byrne, who oversaw the rebirth of racing at Colonial Downs and led it to unprecedented success, has stepped down from the track.
Peter Howe, father of Colonial Downs exec Jill Byrne and one of just four people to train champions over jumps and on the flat, has passed away.
When Scott Haney and Dorothy Worton claimed Koko Star August 1, they were excited. Then it all went sideways, leaving them frustrated, and horseless.