Virginia Business
Colonial Downs stable area to open June 23
Colonial Downs will open its stable area for the summer meet June 23, with training to begin June 25, the track announced.
Colonial: Claiming Crown preview set for Aug. 21
Colonial Downs will for the first time host a Claiming Crown Preview day on Aug. 21 featuring eight races run under starter allowance conditions.
Colonial Downs unveils condition book, stakes sked
An expanded live racing schedule, featuring higher overnight purses and more stakes races, are on tap at Colonial Downs this summer.
Jill Byrne tabbed as new VTA executive director
Jill Byrne will take the reins as the new executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, representing breeders.
Md. Racing Commission OKs Maryland-Virginia stakes
The Maryland Racing Commission signed off on a controversial proposal to blend Maryland-restricted and Virginia-restricted stakes Wednesday.
Colonial Downs to host Claiming Crown qualifying day
Colonial Downs will host an August day of racing in which the races are automatic qualifying races for November’s Claiming Crown.
Virginia Derby field taking shape
The field for the March 15 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, offering 50 Kentucky Derby points to the winner, is starting to take shape.
Virginia Derby gets 89 nominations
The March 15 Virginia Derby – for the first time a Kentucky Derby points race – received 89 nominations, while the Virginia Oaks got 57.
Travis Stone to announce Virginia Derby meet
Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone will call the action at Colonial Downs during next month’s Virginia Derby mini-meet.
Virginia Gaming Commission bill appears dead
A bill that would have swept racing regulation out of the Virginia Racing Commission and under a new Gaming Commission appears dead.
Determined Kingdom named Va-bred horse of the year
Determined Kingdom, now past $700,000 in career earnings, has been named Virginia-bred Horse of the Year after winning two stakes in ’24.
“He loved this game”: Owner-breeder Larry Johnson passes
Larry Johnson, who put his stamp on the Thoroughbred industry on racetracks and in boardrooms in Maryland and Virginia, passed away Feb. 4.
Virginia Gaming Commission proposal worries racing interests
A proposal to shift oversight of HHR from the Virginia Racing Commission to a new gaming commission has racing interests concerned for the future.
Colonial Downs spring condition book released
The condition book for Colonial Downs’s brief March meet, featuring the Virginia Derby and Oaks, is now available online.
Colonial Downs announces Va. Derby ticket options
Colonial Downs has announced ticket options and prices for Virginia Derby day, with the Derby, now a Kentucky Derby points race, to be Mar. 15.
Colonial Downs awarded 44 live days for 2025
Colonial Downs will race 44 days in 2025, starting with a 3-day spring meet and then continuing with 41 summer racing days.
Colonial Downs to add spring meet, host Derby points race
Colonial Downs will expand its footprint to include a spring meet in 2025, with the meet anchored by a Virginia Derby 2.0 worth 50 Kentucky Derby points.
Colonial Downs moves Million card to Aug. 11
Colonial Downs has shifted its scheduled August 10 Arlington Million card to Sunday, August 11 because of forecasted rain.
Colonial Downs announces delays, could delay Aug. 10 card
Colonial Downs will delay its August 8 and 9 cards to August 12 and 13, the track announced, and might delay its August 10 Arlington Million card.
VEA commercial wins “Telly Award”
A television commercial produced for the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) titled “Virginia wins with horses” has won a Telly Award.
