Colonial Downs Horse Racing Track in Virginia
Colonial Downs in New Kent Virginia offers both thoroughbred and harness racing seasons. Founded in 1997, Virginia's Colonial Downs race track is still relatively new, but is extremely popular. To complement the excellent races run at Colonial Downs, are brilliant facilities and simulcasting.
Colonial Downs race track was first run by Maryland Jockey Club up until 2005, but is now owned by Magna Entertainment Corporation and presents some of the best summertime turf racing. Virginia’s Colonial Downs has three tracks. The main track is a 1 ¼ mile oval. The inner turf track measures 7 ½ furlongs and the outer turf track is 1 1/8 mile. A distance of 1,290,5 feet is run from the last turn to the finishing line. Interestingly, Colonial Downs has the only one-turn mile harness course in America. Between June and August, racegoers can experience some of the best thoroughbred racing around. Autumn is when harness racing starts at Colonial downs. Colonial Downs’ horse racing events are always filled with excitement. Graded stakes hosted by Colonial Downs include the Virginia Derby and All Along Breeders’ Cup Stakes. Other races run at Colonial Downs racetrack are the Colonial Turf Cup, Chenery Stakes, Tippett Stakes, David L. Ferguson Memorial Stakes and Virginia Oaks. Post times are typically at 5:00 pm.
A comprehensive range of facilities at Colonial Downs ensure that racegoers have an enjoyable experience. Colonial Downs has been constructed to resemble a 19th century building. Meals can be enjoyed at the Jockey Club and Turf club with cocktail lounges. In addition to the regular grandstand seating open air box seats can be reserved for a day or for the summer season. These seats are available for free during the harness racing season. On live race days there are simulcast wagering facilities.
Virginia’s Colonial Downs race track is conveniently located between Williamsburg and Richmond, beside Interstate 64. Offering an amazing race day experience with all the conveniences, Colonial Downs is set to continue its successful course.
