Race Tracks > Colonial Downs
Colonial Downs Track Facts
- Address: 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent, VA 23124
- Phone: (804) 966-7223
- Website: colonialdowns.com
- Main Course: 1 1/4 mile dirt oval
- Turf Course: 1 1/8 mile oval on grass, 180 feet wide
Offering fantastic turf racing action, Colonial Downs live racing season currently runs from July 11th to September 7th.
2022 Meet at Colonial Downs
| DATE | RACE | PURSE / RESTRICTIONS | SURFACE / DISTANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 11 | Punch Line Stakes | $125,000 / 3&UP (VA-Bred/Sired) | Turf / 5 1/2 F |
| Camptown Stakes | $125,000 / 3&UP, F&M (VA-Bred/Sired) | Turf / 5 1/2 F | |
| Evans Stakes | $125,000 / 3&UP (VA-Bred/Sired) | Turf / 1 M | |
| Brookmeade Stakes | $125,000 / 3&UP, F&M (VA-Bred/Sired) | Turf / 1 1/16 M | |
| July 18 | Van Clief Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 5 1/2 F |
| Andy Guest Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Turf / 5 1/2 F | |
| July 25 | Colonial Cup Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 1 1/2 M |
| Aug. 09 | Hickory Tree Stakes* | $150,000 / 2YO | Dirt / 5 F |
| Keswick Stakes* | $150,000 / 2YO F | Dirt / 5 F | |
| Aug. 16 | MATCH Series Chesapeake Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP | Dirt / 6 F |
| MATCH Series Seeking the Pearl | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Dirt / 7 F | |
| MATCH Series Buckland Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 1 1/8 M | |
| MATCH Series Old Nelson Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Turf / 1 1/16 M | |
| Aug. 22 | Rouse Steeplechase Stakes | $100,000 / 4&UP | Hurdle / 2 M |
| Sept. 6 | Rosie's Stakes | $125,000 / 2YO | Turf / 5 1/2 F |
| Kitten's Joy | $125,000 / 2YO | Turf / 1 1/16 M | |
| Virginia Derby | $300,000 / 3YO | Turf / 1 1/8 M | |
| Virginia Oaks | $200,000 / 3YO F | Turf / 1 1/8 M | |
| DaHoss Stakes | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 5 1/2 F | |
| Sept. 7 | Meadow Stable Stakes* | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 5 1/2 F |
| Tyson Gilpin Stakes* | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Turf / 5 1/2 F | |
| Bert Allen Stakes* | $150,000 / 3&UP | Turf / 1 1/16 M | |
| Nellie Cox Stakes* | $150,000 / 3&UP, F&M | Turf / 1 1/16 M | |
| Jamestown Stakes | $125,000 / 2YO (VA-Bred/Sired) | Turf / 5 1/2 F |
* Virginia Restricted (Bred/Sired/Certified) includes $50,000 for VA-Bred/Sired
Colonial Downs Racing and Track History
Colonial Downs first opened its doors in 1997 to significant fan fare, with 13,000 spectators showing up to watch thoroughbred racing. The track was developed with noticeable differences in comparison to other race tracks in the country, namely due to the large size of the track (one of the biggest in the US) in comparison to its small clubhouse. They also built OTB’s prior to the opening of the track.
Colonial Downs established a reputation for delivering high quality summertime turf racing, especially in the oft-poor three-year-old turf division. Colonial Downs once hosted two of the most important turf races for three year olds – The Colonial Turf Cup and the Grade III Virginia Derby. Along with the Secretariat Stakes at Churchill Downs (formerly at Arlington Park) and the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the races made up the “Grand Slam of Grass”. While the Virginia Derby is still run at Colonial Downs, the Colonial Turf Cup is now run as the Commonwealth Turf Cup at Laurel Park in Maryland.
In 2013, horse racing was paused indefinitely due to a dispute between track management and horsemen’s groups. The conflict continued when the Virginia Racing Commission denied Colonial Downs all racing dates for 2016, after all avenues to keep the track open by ownership were exhausted.
In 2018, Virginia enacted a law to allow historical racing machines at the track and OTBs, and weeks later the track was purchased by a new ownership group. Finally in 2019, Colonial Downs held its first race in 6 years.