News

(WOOSTOCK, VA — 9/16/2021) — All four Virginia Breeder’s 2020 freshmen championship winners will return to Shenandoah Downs this weekend to begin defense of their titles as 3-year-olds as the Woodstock oval opens its sixth season of pari-mutuel harness racing. Trotting preps will be contested Friday while pacing preps will be held Saturday. Respective $80,000 … Continue reading Virginia Breeder’s Freshmen Champs Return To Begin Title Defense at Shenandoah Downs   →

-Big Purse Increase Awaits Participating Horsemen- (WOODSTOCK, VA —- 9/10/2021) —- Shenandoah Downs will open its sixth season of pari-mutuel harness racing Friday September 17 and continue its five-week “Harness The Mountain Magic” meet in Woodstock through October 16. After a 2020 season that was contested without fans in attendance or wagering due to the … Continue reading Shenandoah Downs Welcomes Fans Back With Slate Of Exciting Opening Weekend Promotions →

Madaket Stables LLC’s Wootton Asset rated off the pace before making the winning move turning for home on his way to a ¾-length victory in the Grade III $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Tuesday at Colonial Downs.  Jose Ortiz, Jr. guided the Graham Motion trainee over the mile and an … Continue reading Wootton Asset Finds Colonial To His Liking In $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby →

September 7, 2021 (Lexington, KY): Another successful Colonial Downs race meet was highlighted by a dedication to Thoroughbred Aftercare. After the sixth race on the Virginia Derby card Aug. 31 at Colonial Downs, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accepted a check for $50,000 from Colonial Downs and the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Initiated in 2019, … Continue reading Colonial Downs, Virginia HBPA Present Check to TAA on Virginia Derby Day →

-All Stakes, All Turf Pick-5 Wager Covers Races 6 thru 10- (NEW KENT, VA — 8/26/2021) — A field of 12 will go to post in the 18th running of the Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Tuesday August 31 at Colonial Downs, featured event of five stakes on … Continue reading Field of 12 Set To Compete In $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby (Gr. 3) On Tuesday  →

The following appeared in The Racing Biz on August 23 and was written by Frank Vespe. How fast was the dirt track at Colonial Downs Monday afternoon? The track played host to five dirt races and all five – a first-level allowance and four $100,000 stakes that are part of the MATCH Series – produced … Continue reading Colonial Track Records Fall In MATCH Series Stakes →

Fans that attend harness racing at the Shenandoah County Fair this year will have something extra special in store besides four days of pacing and trotting action from September 1-4. Six attendees over the four days will win a unique chance to “Own a Horse for a Day”. The lucky winners will return on Saturday September 18 … Continue reading Harness Racing Fans To Get Added Bonus at 2021 Shenandoah County Fair  →

When Colonial Downs ushered in thoroughbred racing in 1997, every race during that first meet was held on dirt since the track’s signature Secretariat Turf Course was not yet ready for use.  A year later, Penny Chenery cut a ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the 180-foot wide grass surface and since then, Colonial Downs has been … Continue reading Colonial Downs, Home of the Secretariat Turf Course, Finds More Takers Of Late For Its 1 1/4 Miles Dirt Oval  →

Ticketing is now open for the upcoming Secretariat Day at the Races , Monday August 30 at Colonial Downs racetrack! Join Kate Tweedy, Leeanne Ladin, Jocelyn Russell and the Secretariat.com team on for all the action taking place at the track in New Kent, Virginia. Big Red fans near and far are invited to join this festive … Continue reading Secretariat Colonial Downs Day At The Races Scheduled for Monday August 30 →