Renovations Underway As Colonial Downs Prepares For August 8th Opener
Live thoroughbred racing returns to Colonial Downs on August 8th and with just under two months to go until horses line up in the starting gate, workers are busy with various renovation projects.
The paddock area is in full renovation mode. A new tote board is being installed and drainage has been vastly improved.The trackside “Green” area along the stretch is being redone to provide a comfortable environment for racing fans this summer. A second two inch layer of cushion was put down over the 1 1/4 miles dirt oval this week. One more layer will be needed. As soon as the sand comes onto the grounds, it goes thru a sifting process, is loaded onto trucks and spread on the track.Box seats, along with Turf Club and Jockey Club tables, grandstand seats, and Sky Suites are on sale at colonialdowns.com.The infield tote board will not only have a new look, but will feature a giant L.E.D. screen to display the races better than ever.Virginia HBPA Executive Director Frank Petramalo recently gave Dan Waits, Executive DIrector of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, a tour of the Colonial backstretch. Mr. Waits will soon select a chaplain to serve the horsemen that will compete this summer in New Kent.
Horses and horsemen will begin shipping on to the New Kent grounds July 25th. Once the season kicks off August 8th, racing will continue every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 5 PM through September 7th. The $250,000 Virginia Derby will highlight a Racing Revival Weekend on Saturday August 31st.
