Opening Weekend Stakes Spotlight Virginia-Bred Talent at Colonial Downs

NEW KENT, Va. (June 21, 2026) — Opening weekend at Colonial Downs features the first two stakes races of the 2026 summer meet Saturday, as Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired runners take center stage in the $125,000 Edward P. Evans Stakes and the $125,000 Brookmeade Stakes, both contested at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

The Evans drew a field of seven led by On Your Left Racing’s homebred Omaha Omaha, a 4-year-old who will be making his debut for trainer Karen Dennehy. Last year under conditioner Mike Gorham, Omaha Omaha finished third in the Virginia Derby, third in the Withers Stakes and second in the Jerome Stakes, both at Aqueduct. The son of Audible has earned more than $250,000 and owns some of the strongest credentials in the field. Drawing post 2, Horacio Karamanos has the call.

Chief among his competition is Ray of Sunshine, who enters the Evans Stakes riding a three-race winning streak. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by Stephen Murdock, most recently captured the Confucius Say Stakes at Charles Town in front-running fashion bringing his career record to 16-7-3-3. With tactical speed and strong recent form, Ray of Sunshine will attempt to carry his momentum through his longest distance test to date. Ray of Sunshine will be reunited with jockey Reshawn Latchman.

The Brookmeade Stakes for fillies and mares features a field of seven headed by Day to Day, whose resume stands out among the entrants. The 3-year-old daughter of McKinzie owned by C2 Racing Stable, BAG Racing Stables, Barry Fowler, Charles Deters, and Mark Taylor, competed in Grade 1, Grade 2 and listed stakes company during her juvenile campaign, including appearances in the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga and the Miss Grillo Stakes at Aqueduct. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., Day to Day broke her maiden at Colonial Downs last summer and exits a pair of third-place finishes in stakes and allowance company this spring. Last year’s leading rider Paco Lopez takes the call.

Among those looking to deny Day to Day is Sun Cross, a lightly raced 5-year-old mare from the barn of Brittany Russell. A homebred for Morgan’s Ford Farm, Sun Cross finished second in last year’s Brookmeade Stakes after closing from off the pace and has finished second and third in her two prior starts at Colonial Downs. She returns from an extended layoff but brings proven local form. Jevian Toledo is named to ride.

First post Saturday is 12:30 p.m. ET. The Brookmeade Stakes is scheduled as Race 7 with a 3:55 p.m. post time, followed by the Edward P. Evans Stakes as Race 8 at 4:25 p.m. Opening day at Colonial Downs is set for Thursday, June 25.