Virginia
“One glass of wine and we bought him”
Six-year-old Animal Kingston, a son of Derby winner Animal Kingdom, is kicking off a new career in steeplechase racing.
VEA: Thoroughbred jobs returning to Virginia
A new study from the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) shows that the horse racing industry has an economic impact of more than $500 million in Virginia.
MATCH Series returns for 2021
The MATCH Series of races will return in truncated form for 2021, with the series comprising 24 stakes contested in Maryland and in Virginia.
Tweaks made to Virginia-Certified program
The Virginia Thoroughbred Association has announced two changes to its popular Virginia-certified program incentivizing stabling young horses in Virginia.
Two Virginia-owned horses headed to Dubai
Virginians Larry Johnson and David Ross will have runners in Saturday’s $1 million Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, True Valour and Extravagant Kid, respectively.
Trainer Mike Stidham to have Colonial string
Mike Stidham has been the leading trainer at Colonial Downs since its 2019 rebirth and is planning on being a presence there again in 2021.
Colonial Downs announces 2021 slate
Colonial Downs will shift to an earlier post time for its 2021 schedule, which kicks off July 19 and runs through September 1.
Six Midlantic-breds among Triple Crown noms
Stakes winners Hello Hot Rod and Pickin’ Time are among six horses bred in the Mid-Atlantic who have been nominated to the Triple Crown.
For racing starters, “It’s all about teamwork”
Whether horses are breaking from the gate, waiting for the fall of the flag, or following the mobile barrier, racing starters seek teamwork.
Virginia breeder program provides millions
Virginia breeders earned millions in 2020 from a Breeders Fund bonus program that paid 40% bonuses on all winning purses nationwide.
Colonial Downs expands gaming network
The Colonial Downs Group held a ribbon-cutting January 8 to announce the opening of a new OTB and gaming emporium in Dumfries, VA.
Colonial Downs to race 21 days in ’21
Colonial Downs will race 21 days in 2021 in a meet that stretches from mid-July to early September.
Breeders’ Cup: Virginia-based owner David Ross has “extravagant” hopes
David Ross, the all-time leading owner at Colonial Downs, will seek his first Breeders’ Cup victory Saturday when Extravagant Kid tackles the Turf Sprint.
Virginia-bred stakes top Laurel Friday card
With the cancellation of the Colonial Downs race meet, five stakes for Virginia-bred or -sired horses will take place Friday at Laurel Park.
Laurel to host Virginia-bred stakes
Pending Virginia Racing Commission approval, Maryland’s Laurel Park will play host to five stakes restricted to Virginia-bred or -sired runners.
Kentucky Derby: Ny Traffic made most of Virginia sojourn
Long before he was a Kentucky Derby contender, Ny Traffic spent his formative months in a rural corner of Virginia, at Sunny Dell Farm.
Opinion: What time is it?
The Gmax timing system in use at numerous tracks offers many advantages — but still has issues getting the final time correct. This is a big problem.
For Virginia horsemen, optimism despite clouds
The sudden closure of Colonial Downs left Virginia horsemen in the lurch – but aware things are much better than they were a couple years ago.
Colonial Downs cancels rest of 2020 meet
Colonial Downs’s 2020 meet came to an end today, when the track, and the state’s horsemen, decided to end the 2020 meet in the face of Covid-19 positives.
Trevor McCarthy Covid positive prompts cancellations
Jockey Trevor McCarthy will be off for a period after testing positive for Covid-19, which prompted Colonial Downs to cancel two cards.
