Virginia
Churchill Downs sees “great opportunity” at Colonial
In their first public interview on the topic, Churchill Downs see “great opportunity” at Colonial Downs because of Virginia’s gaming-and-racing model.
Churchill CEO: “Virginia has a chance to be reborn”
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen told the Virginia Racing Commission that he sees big opportunity for racing but may have ruffled some feathers, too.
Colonial Downs to expand stakes program
Colonial Downs’s 27-day racing season this summer will feature 24 stakes with a combined value of $3.5 million, topped by the G3 Virginia Derby.
Virginia, Churchill Downs goals “going to be aligned”
Some folks fret about what Churchill Downs’s purchase of Colonial Downs means for the future, but VTA head Debbie Easter expects their goals to align.
Churchill to acquire Colonial Downs
Churchill Downs will acquire Colonial Downs and its associated properties in a larger, nearly $2.5 billion deal expected to close by year’s end.
Va-owned Extravagant Kid retired
Extravagant Kid, a onetime claiming horse who went on to earn over $1.7 million, has been retired by Virginia-based owner David Ross.
VTA to hold stallion season auction Feb. 9-10
The Virginia Thoroughbred Association will hold its annual stallion season auction by phone Feb. 9-10, with scores of stallions at every price range.
Colonial Downs: Stories that mattered in ’21
Correspondent Nick Hahn weighs in with his top 10 stories that mattered to Virginia racing and Colonial Downs in 2021.
Colonial Downs to run 27 days in ’22
Colonial Downs received Va. Racing Commission approval Wednesday to run 27 live days in 2022, up from 21 days this year.
Report of mares bred shows Midlantic declines
While the just-released report of of mares bred showed essentially flat national numbers, the MId-Atlantic saw a 15% drop.
Colonial Downs sets handle mark
Buoyed by more than $10 million in purses, Colonial Downs set its all-time handle record at the just-completed meet, with daily average betting of over $2.2 million.
At Colonial Downs, successes both fresh and familiar
The return of live racing to Colonial Downs after a challenging 2020 meet went better than just about anyone could have hoped.
New tactics propel Flippant in Virginia Oaks
A change in tactics has made a big difference for Flippant, who won Tuesday’s Virginia Oaks for her second consecutive stakes score.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks September 1
The original and best Colonial Downs tip sheet returns: Nick’s Picks is back, along with picks from the legendary Derby Bill Watson.
“Honest” Wootton Asset seizes Virginia Derby win
Wootton Asset finally caught the optimum conditions Tuesday and parlayed them into a win in the Grade 3 Virginia Derby.
Virginia Derby Day In Focus
We dig into today’s five stakes on Virginia Derby Day at Colonial Downs, with horse-by-horse analysis and Virginia Derby picks.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 31
The original and best Colonial Downs tip sheet returns: Nick’s Picks is back, along with picks from the legendary Derby Bill Watson.
For some, Virginia Derby a homecoming of sorts
Tuesday’s Virginia Derby represents, for different reasons, a kind of homecoming for three trainers – and among the most intriguing runnings of this race.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 30
The original and best Colonial Downs tip sheet returns: Nick’s Picks is back, along with picks from the legendary Derby Bill Watson.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks August 25
The original and best Colonial Downs tip sheet returns: Nick’s Picks is back, along with picks from the legendary Derby Bill Watson.
