Colonial Downs SUMMER RACING begins!
Summer Racing Season kicks off Memorial Day Weekend at COLONIAL DOWNS in New Kent County, Virginia.
Eighty percent of the summer thoroughbred races are held over the Secretariat Turf Course, which at 180 feet wide, is the widest grass surface of any track in North America. The 1¼ mile dirt track is the country’s second largest, next to Belmont’s. The large dirt track enables harness horses to pace or trot a one mile distance while encountering just one turn, the only track anywhere to offer this unique configuration.
The Virginia Derby is Colonial’s annual showcase event. Generally held in mid-July, the $600,000 Grade II event draws over 9,000 fans to the New Kent oval. Thoroughbred racing’s top three year old turf horses, along with the sport’s top jockeys and trainers compete 1¼ miles in the Virginia Derby. The $500,000 Grade II Colonial Turf Cup, a Derby prep race of sorts, is held four weeks prior.
Kickoff to the Summer Racing Season at Colonial Downs begins Saturday, May 29th.
Also, Saturday, May 15th is the 78th running of the Strawberry Hill Races at Colonial Downs.
Summer racing is generally held on a Friday thru Tuesday basis from mid-June thru early August. Races begin at 4 PM during the week and 1 PM on weekends. A two-day “Racing to the Stars & Stripes” Festival is held over 4th of July weekend and features horse racing, a patriotic concert and fireworks with racing starting at 5 PM those days.
JAMES RIVER EQUIPMENT / FLEET BROTHERS in Toano, Virginia is your local PURINA MILLS dealeship. Let us supply all your equine feed and care needs. We are located on Route 60 off Interstate 64 east of New Kent. Take the Toano exit...we are 2 miles heading east towards Williamsburg on your right. Look for the John Deere tractors!
Call us at 757-566-1750 and ask for Karen, our Equine Specialist.
James River Equipment / Fleet Brothers is also your John Deere lawn and farm tractor dealership as well as your Weaver Leather, Ariat, Carhartt, and Rocky Shoes and Boots store for Toano, Williamsburg, New Kent, and surrouding areas. While visiting Colonia Downs, stop by and check us out!