Virginia Business
Peter Howe, trainer of two champions, passes
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.
Koko Star, HISA, and the claim that wasn’t
When Scott Haney and Dorothy Worton claimed Koko Star August 1, they were excited. Then it all went sideways, leaving them frustrated, and horseless.
Colonial Downs celebrates “fantastic” meet
Colonial Downs concluded its 2022 meet with record handle, track records set, and a trifecta payout that has to be close to a record (if not one).
Colonial Downs, Monmouth to debut combined wager
Colonial Downs and Monmouth Park on Monday will unveil their new Mid-Atlantic Pick 4, which combines two races at each in a weekly sequence.
Colonial Downs cancels Monday card
With excessive temperatures and heat indexes predicted, Colonial Downs has canceled its live racing card for Monday, July 25.
Colonial Downs kicks off meet with a bang
Colonial Downs recorded its largest-ever opening day handle Monday, topping $3 million on a day that featured four Virginia-bred stakes.
For Arlington horsemen, Colonial Downs a welcoming spot
Colonial Downs always attracts an eclectic group of horsemen from around the country, this year including several previously stabled at Arlington Park.
First horses arrive for Colonial Downs meet
The first horses arrived on the grounds Monday for the Colonial Downs meet, where live racing kicks off July 11.
VRC gives thumbs up to acquisition of Colonial Downs
The Virginia Racing Commission signed off on Churchill Downs’s proposed acquisition of Colonial Downs June 8.
Colonial Downs lowers Pick-5 takeout
Colonial Downs will lower the takeout on its traditional Pick 5 wager to 12% and will alter the rules so that carryovers are possible.
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.
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.
