Schedule includes three-day Virginia Derby meet in March.

NEW KENT, Va. (December 3, 2024) – Racing dates for an expanded 2025 season at Colonial Downs were approved today by the Virginia Racing Commission. The 44-day schedule starts with a special three-day Virginia Derby meet from March 13 through March 15 followed by the traditional summer meet from July 9 through September 13.

The $500,000 Virginia Derby, a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will transition to the dirt and be held on March 15, anchoring a new three-day spring meet which will also include the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, a Kentucky Oaks points race. The winning horse in each race will receive 50 points to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve or the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The second- through fifth-place finishers will earn 25-15-10-5 points on a sliding scale.

Post times for racing during the three-day March meet will be at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14. The Virginia Derby day card on Saturday, March 15 will kick off at Noon.

Additional reserved indoor and outdoor seating will be available for Virginia Derby Day on March 15. Ticket options for the Virginia Derby will be announced and go on sale to the public in the coming weeks, including a limited number of general admission tickets.

The summer schedule expands to 41 days for 2025 with racing four days per week, Wednesday through Saturday. Post time will be 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday with twilight racing offered every Friday with a 4 p.m. post time. Racing also will be offered on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

The Colonial Downs Festival of Racing and its three graded stakes races is slated for Saturday, August 9 and will have a special Noon post time. Racing also will start at Noon on Saturday, September 6 for a stakes-laden card.

“We’re excited to bring Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks qualifying races to Virginia for the first time in 2025,” Senior Director of Operations Frank Hopf said. “We look forward to an outstanding 2025 season with participation from horsemen not only from Virginia but also from throughout the Mid-Atlantic as we expand our summer dates.”

The entire stakes schedule for the 2025 season will be made available in the coming weeks. The 2024 season offered approximately $650,000 in purses per day and are expected to be similar in 2025.

New Kent, Va. (Sept. 7, 2024) — St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker, and Vicarage Stable’s Deterministic showed off his late kick on the Secretariat Turf Course at Colonial Downs, running down Grand Mo the First to win the Grade 3 $500,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby by a neck.

Trained by Christophe Clement, who also sent out Style Points, the dead heat co-winner of the Virginia Oaks, Deterministic was piloted by Manny Franco. Franco won five stakes and seven races total on Saturday’s program.

“Every time I come prepared with a good mind, which gives me a good chance to win races,” Franco said. “I had a big day today. I want to say thanks to all the trainers who brought me here. I’m just happy. All the horses were running good. The turf course is perfect. (After each race) I just kept looking forward to keep my momentum (throughout the card).”

Izzy d’Oro took control early and led the field through the calls in :24.12 and :48.47. Grand Mo the First set up shop in third, tracking on the rail, and after breaking sharply, Deterministic settled nicely and ran with cover in mid-pack. Coming out of the turn Deterministic was in traffic while Grand Mo the First tipped off the rail to bid by the new leaders. Daylight opened and Deterministic seized it, finding his late kick and running down Grand Mo the First. Desvio fought hard for third. Echo Lane held on for fourth.

“(In the derby) by the 5/8 pole I didn’t feel comfortable where I was, but as soon as I asked my horse, he responded and put me where I wanted to be going into the far turn,” Franco said. “After that I had a horse outside me, but I was able to get the jump, and as soon as I got into the clear, he gave me a nice kick home.”

The top two Virginia Derby runners both qualified for Kentucky Derby 150 back in May. When the connections of Deterministic decided not to run, it opened a spot in the starting gates for Granpollo Stable’s Grand Mo the First’s run for the roses.

“(It was) very tough (to lose),” Paco Lopez said, jockey aboard Grand Mo the First. “That horse is obviously doing very good. I think at a flat mile he is a much better horse. I knew (Deterministic) was coming. I made a good move, my horse ran very good.”

With a career record of 7-3-1-1, the Liam’s Map colt bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms has $667,750 in lifetime earnings.

New Kent, Va (Sept. 7, 2024) — In a nail-biting edition of the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs, Cheyenne Stable’s Style Points and John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services’ Deep Satin dueled down the stretch and were declared dead heat winners.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Style Points was ridden by Manny Franco, who won five stakes and seven races overall on Saturday’s program, including the New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3) one race later.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Deep Satin received the services of Mychel Sanchez.

The pair covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.15. Pendulum finished strong for third. Awesome Czech rounded out the superfecta.

Call Another Play kept his nose in front of Awesome Czech, rattling through the opening calls in :23.79 and :48.25. Deep Satin tracked in third with Style Points following her. Deep Stain made her move in the turn and took over at the top of the stretch, but in hot pursuit with Style Points soon engaged the leader and the pair went eyeball-to-eyeball, neither blinking through the wire.

“I followed the right horse the whole way,” Franco said. “I was following (Deep Satin). I thought I was going to go by but I have to give credit to the other filly who battled us to the wire.”

“I think she is still learning,” Sanchez said. “There is a lot of potential there. She made the lead super strong and she waited a bit for the competition. For a second it looked like Manny was going to blow by me but she came back and fought and fought and fought. It seemed like she knew where the wire was because she put her head down right then. I’m just glad we got the win for Cherie DeVaux and the owners.”

Style Points paid $4.00 and Deep Satin, the post-time favorite, paid $3.60.

Manny Franco wins three undercard stakes on New Kent County Virginia Derby Day.

Making his North American debut, Hollywood Syndicate’s South African import Isivunguvungu was an impressive victor in the $150,000 Korbel Da Hoss Stakes. The Group 1 winner was transferred to trainer Graham Motion at the beginning of the year with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in mind.

“I can’t say enough about what a good effort this was today,” Motion said. “He spent two months in quarantine at the beginning of the year. He is a very special horse. He has a big following in South Africa and I am so happy for those guys. Super happy for the Hollywood Syndicate. Manny (Franco) gave him a great ride. He’s a lovely horse.”

Ridden by Manny Franco, Isivunguvungu covered the 5½ furlongs over firm turf in 1:02.58, holding off the hard charging Nothing Better by a neck. Along with wins in the Colonial Cup and Kitten’s Joy, Franco bagged three undercard stakes, along with a second in the Rosie’s Stakes.

“The sky is the limit for (Isivunguvungu) and I am happy to be able to ride him today,” Franco said. “The horse in front of me was getting out so I just had that in mind. When it was time to go I just tapped him on the shoulder and my horse was there for me. I’m happy to get the opportunity to ride him today.”

The 6-year-old paid $6.

“They’ve just lifted some of those (quarantine) restrictions (on South African horses),” Motion said. “I think we are going to see a lot more South African horses, especially after the performance of this horse. South African horses by nature are very tough. Huge credit to Hollywood Syndicate for taking a gamble on bringing him over here. I feel very lucky to have him.”

Last year’s Da Hoss winner Nobals went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

“November is not that far off, and he ran a big race today,” Motion said. “We have to decide if we are going to run him again; we have to decide if he is going to be able to get in the Breeders’ Cup, which is what we’d really like to do. There’s a fine line now with this guy. I think he’s done enough fitness wise to get there without another race, so we’ll just decide.”

Under the confident handling of Manny Franco, Augustin Stables’ Truly Quality ran down Webslinger in the final stages of the 1½-mile $150,000 Visit RVA Colonial Cup to make his first stakes try a winning one.

Trained by Jonathan Thomas, the 4-year-old gelded son of Quality Road traveled the 12 furlongs in 2:25.16, beating the post time favorite Webslinger by 2½ lengths and setting a new track record, sharving nearly two full seconds off the previous mark of 2:27.04.

“He’s starting to find himself,” Thomas said. “He’s really relaxing early in his races, which is great. He’s got good tactical speed. He’s out of a young mare Truly Together, his half-sister Mouffy is a stakes winner. It’s exciting to get that mare off to a good start. With a rider like Manny Franco it’s very easy. You just leg him up and let him use his instincts. We were lucky to have him today.”

“I played it by ear because it was a short field,” Franco said. “I just made sure to break good. I was thinking either be on the lead or be really close. I had horse all the way around.”

Bregman Family Racing and Swinbank Stables’ Governor Sam took the $125,000 Richmond Times-Dispatch Rosie’s Stakes in dominant fashion, winning by two lengths. Trained by George Weaver, the Improbable colt made it back-to-back Rosie’s victories for the connections with No Nay Mets winning the 2023 edition ahead of running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

With Paco Lopez aboard, Governor Sam traveled the 5½ furlongs in 1:03.51, making the Rosie’s his second stake score along with the Tyro. The odds-on favorite paid $3.80.

“He broke well and I got him to the lead,” Lopez said. “He was traveling so comfortably that I knew I had enough horse at the top of the stretch. He’s a nice horse but would still need to move forward (to compete in the Breeders’ Cup).”

Out On Bail edged out Ghostly Rose for second.

“I had a good trip, close to the speed,” Franco, Out On Bail’s jockey, said. “I broke running, dropped in a little bit, when I came out the winner had the jump. In the stretch, I hit the clear but I thought I was second best.”

In the 1-1/16 miles $125,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten’s Joy Stakes, Godolphin’s Siesta Key outdueled Aristotle to the wire. Trained by Brad Cox, the Into Mischief colt out of Cocoa Beach clocked in at 1:44.66, winning by a nose.

With Manny Franco in the irons, Siesta Key settled near the back early and saved ground throughout, which proved to be an advantage in the late battle against Aristotle, who traveled wide in the far turn.

Sent off as the favorite, Siesta Key paid $4.20.

Second Quarter contributions totaling $22,500 to support Dream Catchers, RGP School Supply Program, New Kent Trojan Theatre, and New Kent Falcons Football and Cheer.

In the second quarter of 2024, Rosie’s New Kent contributed a total of $22,500 through its Rosie’s Gives Back program to support trusted community partners serving youth development and community support.

Recipients of contributions include:

• $8,000 to the New Kent Trojan Theatre. This donation will allow the New Kent Theatre to offer scholarships to students who otherwise would not have the ability to be a part of the program, expand outreach bringing workshops and performance to underserved communities and schools, and support the overall development of the theater arts in New Kent County Schools.
• $7,500 to Dream Catchers whose mission is to provide therapeutic riding, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and equine-assisted learning services to children and adults with special needs.
• $5,000 to New Kent Falcons Football and Cheer. This donation will allow them to improve the safety of their players and cheerleaders by allowing them to replace older equipment. It will also aid in expanding their program to include flag football to be more inclusive and reach a wider range of children.
• $2,000 to RGP School Supply Program. This program helps students in New Kent County and the surrounding areas receive the supplies they need to continue their education.

Rosie’s New Kent is proud to support a wide variety of organizations in our area that provide support and assistance throughout all segments of our community.

Community nonprofit organizations can request financial, volunteer, in-kind, or other support through the Rosie’s Gives Back program by submitting an online request form.

Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in New Kent and around the state contribute to local organizations and causes through the “Rosie’s Gives Back” program which has made $2.5 million in direct donations, $195,000+ in-kind contributions, and donated more than 2,500 hours of volunteer service. The program supports a range of nonprofits and causes around Virginia including groups providing services in education, workforce development, and support for veterans and law enforcement. The goal of the Rosie’s Gives Back program is to meaningfully improve the quality of life in the communities where team members live and work. The company also partners with statewide programs for the broadest impact possible.

About Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium

Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums (“Rosie’s”) employ over 1,200 team members in the Commonwealth of Virginia, paying over $30 million in annual salaries, wages and benefits. Rosie’s in Dumfries, Emporia, Hampton, New Kent, Richmond and Vinton offer innovative Historical Racing Machines (HRMs) and full card simulcasting. Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville features a limited selection of some of the best HRM titles. Colonial Downs in New Kent hosts live Thoroughbred racing on two nationally-renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America and a 11/4-mile dirt track.www.rosiesgaming.com.

Second Quarter contributions totaling $23,000 to support National D-Day Memorial; Lishy’s Gift; Lions District 24-C; Franklin County Humane Society; Virginia Special Olympics.

In the second quarter of 2024, Rosie’s Vinton contributed a total of $23,000 through its Rosie’s Gives Back program to support trusted community partners serving veterans, public safety, child development, and community medical needs.

Recipients of contributions include:

• $5,000 to National D-Day Memorial, with the mission to ensure “Every Story Lives On”, benefitting Veterans and their families, and educating the community and future generations.
• $5,000 to Lions District 24-C, helping with a special project to raise funds for a new local Pediatric Cancer Center. (Photo Credit:Debbie Adams, Vinton Messenger)
• $5,000 to Franklin County Humane Society, since 1999, creating a community where all dogs and cats get a chance for a healthy and happy life in a loving home by promoting rescue, adoption and spay/neuter.
• $5,000 to Virginia Special Olympics, creating athletic and personal growth opportunities for citizens with intellectual disabilities.
• $3,000 to Lishy’s Gift, supporting young adults that are going through a cancer diagnosis in the Roanoke area.

Community nonprofit organizations can request financial, volunteer, in-kind, or other support through the Rosie’s Gives Back program by submitting an online request form.

Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Vinton and around the state contribute to local organizations and causes through the “Rosie’s Gives Back” program which has made $2.5 million in direct donations, $195,000+ in-kind contributions, and donated more than 2,500 hours of volunteer service. The program supports a range of nonprofits and causes around Virginia including groups providing services in education, workforce development, and support for veterans and law enforcement. The goal of the Rosie’s Gives Back program is to meaningfully improve the quality of life in the communities where team members live and work. The company also partners with statewide programs for the broadest impact possible.

About Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium

Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums (“Rosie’s”) employ over 1,200 team members in the Commonwealth of Virginia, paying over $30 million in annual salaries, wages and benefits. Rosie’s in Dumfries, Emporia, Hampton, New Kent, Richmond and Vinton offer innovative Historical Racing Machines (HRMs) and full card simulcasting. Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville features a limited selection of some of the best HRM titles. Colonial Downs in New Kent hosts live Thoroughbred racing on two nationally-renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America and a 11/4-mile dirt track.www.rosiesgaming.com.