~ Track tallies significant increases in attendance, race days, horses in competition, wagering, and prize money ~

New Kent, Va. (Sept. 14, 2026) – On Labor Day, Colonial Downs Racetrack concluded the biggest season in the track’s nearly thirty year history with a thrilling finish in the Old Dominion Derby. The 2026 live racing season saw new highs for the number of races and race days, horses in competition, prize money awarded, and wagering handle.

The historic 2026 season at Colonial Downs featured:

• 48 days of live racing, a new track record
• 428 races
• 3,350 horses in competition
• $29 million in prize money
• $122 million in wagers from all sources
• Nearly 10,000 fans in attendance at the Virginia Derby, with tens of thousands more throughout the season

“The growth and prominence of Virginia’s live racing program is great news for Virginia racing fans, our economy, and the Commonwealth’s statewide equine industry,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs. “This season featured incredible racing, high-quality horses, trainers, and jockeys, and great family-friendly entertainment both on and off the track. We are so proud to be part of Virginia’s racing revival and the rebound of the state’s equine ecosystem from breeders and boarders all the way through race teams and thoroughbred aftercare organizations. The rest of the county and the entire sport is taking notice of Virginia’s growth, and we believe even brighter days are ahead.”

The 2026 season began with a thrilling Virgina Derby in March which drew nearly 10,000 fans to Virginia’s premier thoroughbred racetrack. Winner Incredibolt and sixth place finisher Ocelli went on to strong showings in the Kentucky Derby and other Triple Crown races.

The season also featured the biggest day of live racing in Virginia history—the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing—which set a new record for wagers on a single day of Virginia racing.

Off the track, fans were thrilled by the first ever Corgi Races, the annual Wiener Dog races, and great theme days like VCU Day, ODU Day, and Dolly Parton Day when hundreds of children’s books were collected for donation to the Children’s Museum of Richmond Book Bank.

The summer season’s leading jockey was Paco Lopez who scored 55 wins, 16 more than runner-up Samuel Marin. Jareth Loveberry was third in the standings with 31 victories followed by Mychel Sanchez, Sonny Leon and Sheldon Russell who rounded out the top tier with 24 tallies apiece.

With a victory on the closing day card, Colts Neck Stable was able to nose out DEA Thoroughbred Racing for leading-owner honors with eight wins. GOP Racing, The Elkstone Group and the Estate of R. Larry Johnson completed the top five with six scores each.

The race for leading trainer ended in a tie as Brittany Russell earned a closing-day victory to finish the meet on equal terms with three-time defending champion Michael Trombetta with 23 wins each. Jamie Ness (19), Mark Casse (14) and W. Robert Bailes (12) were the next three in the standings.

NEW KENT, Va. (July 10, 2026) — Graded stakes winner Andthewinneris will look to capitalize on a return to longer distances when he headlines Sunday’s featured optional claiming/second-level allowance at Colonial Downs, while an intriguing field of first-time starters highlights the supporting card in a Virginia-restricted juvenile turf sprint.

Sunday’s nine-race program begins at 12:30 p.m. EDT. The featured Race 7 serves as the opening leg of the $3 Late Pick 3 and brings together a competitive field of eight older runners going 1 3/16 miles.

Susan Naylor’s Andthewinneris was installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite after facing tough company in a pair of one-mile races at Churchill Downs. The winner of the 2022 G3 Bourbon is trained by Wayne Catalano.

“This looks like a really good spot for him,” Catalano said. “The added distance should suit him.”

Catalano said his horse’s recent finishes are better than they appear on paper.

“He’s had a few tough trips this spring at Churchill and Keeneland,” Catalano said. “They didn’t come back to him late and he had traffic in the stretch. We really like where our horse is right now.”

The veteran will have to contend with Can Group, now trained by Jamie Ness, who won the 2023 G3 Bourbon.

Race 6 is a maiden special weight turf sprint for Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified 2-year-olds. The five-furlong dash attracted a field of 10, with many making their career debuts.

Among them is Steven Smith and Chris Kuhn’s homebred Prince of Peace, the 9-2 morning-line third choice for trainer Robert Bailes. The Cairo Prince colt enters with eight published workouts at Laurel Park, including three bullet drills.

“I like him — I think he’s a nice colt,” Bailes said. “That he’s still a colt might be a little bit of an issue right now, but I like what he’s been showing me so far. We haven’t been able to work him on the grass yet, but his breeding says he should be able to run on it, so we’ll find out on Sunday.”

Trainer Brendan Walsh unveils Dewberry Thoroughbreds’ homebred Fields of Grey. The Hard Spun colt arrives from Turfway Park after posting a bullet workout July 1 and picks up leading rider Paco Lopez for his debut.

Graham Motion sends out the Estate of Larry Johnson’s homebred Do the Right Thing, who will be the first starter for freshman sire True Valour (IRE).

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez is named on a pair of mounts at Colonial Downs on Monday, teaming with trainer Lauren Robson on both runners during the eight-race program.

First post Monday is 12:30 p.m. EDT.

Velazquez has enjoyed considerable success with Robson, winning with seven of his 19 mounts (37%) for the trainer over the past three years.

His first assignment comes aboard Miss Ellary in Race 4, a one-mile optional claiming/allowance on the turf for older fillies and mares. Miss Ellary contests the opening leg of the 50-cent Late Pick 5, which spans Races 4-8 and features a 12% takeout.

Velazquez’s second mount comes aboard Rebel With a Cause in Race 7, Monday’s featured first-level allowance turf sprint.

The 3-year-old exits a fourth-place finish behind Outfielder in the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs. Rebel With a Cause owns two victories from four career starts, with both wins coming under Velazquez.

A quartet of $125,000 restricted stakes highlights Saturday’s 10-race program, including the seven-furlong dirt stakes Miss Disco and Star De Naskra, along with the companion turf sprints, the Glenn Petty and Punch Line. First post is 12:30 p.m. EDT.

NEW KENT, Va. (July 9, 2026) — Listed at 15-1 on the morning line for Saturday’s $125,000 Star De Naskra Stakes, Forge Ahead Stables’ Sav’n Money will make his first start against restricted competition after spending the spring testing himself against open company — including a runner-up finish behind Englishman, arguably the best 3-year-old sprinter in the country. Coupled with the addition of blinkers and a string of encouraging workouts, trainer Wayne Catalano believes the sophomore is poised to deliver a strong effort.

Restricted to Virginia- and Maryland-bred or -sired 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, the Star De Naskra attracted a competitive field of eight, led by Gold Square’s Tartabull, who will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton.

Sav’n Money began his career on the turf, breaking his maiden at Lone Star Park before tackling tougher allowance company on the grass at Fair Grounds. Catalano shifted the son of Yaupon to the main track this spring, and the colt immediately showed he belonged against quality competition. Two starts back, he rallied from well off the pace to finish second to Englishman, who returned to validate that form with a victory in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes.

“If he runs back to the race he had at Fair Grounds, I think he wins,” Catalano said. “He finished second to the best horse in the country (Englishman).”
Most recently, Sav’n Money competed in a deep first-level allowance on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Racing over a speed-favoring surface, he never threatened after trailing early, but Catalano believes the running line doesn’t tell the full story.

“He never really got the trip we were looking for,” Catalano said. “Draw a line through that race.”
Saturday marks the first time Sav’n Money will race with blinkers, an equipment change Catalano hopes will allow the colt to stay more involved during the early stages.

“We’re adding blinkers,” Catalano said. “I’m hoping that helps him stay a little closer to the pace.”

The decision was reinforced by an encouraging gate drill on May 30, when Sav’n Money worked in blinkers alongside Only Phil, a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winner Two Phil’s. Sav’n Money has continued to train forwardly since arriving at Colonial Downs, including a sharp half-mile work over the main track on July 5.

“He’s training great,” Catalano said. “He’s been doing everything we’ve asked, and he worked well over the track. We like how he’s coming into this race. We’re feeling good about our chances.”

Sav’n Money will be guided from post 7 with Jareth Loveberry aboard.

Saturday’s stakes program includes the $125,000 Miss Disco, sibling stake to the Star De Naskra, and the $125,000 Glenn Petty and $125,000 Punch Line, companion turf sprints for older Virginia-bred or -sired horses. First post for the 10-race card is 12:30 p.m. ET.

Saturday’s 50-cent Late Pick 5, featuring a 12% takeout, covers all four stakes beginning with the Miss Disco in Race 6. The Star De Naskra is Race 7, followed by the Glenn Petty in Race 8 and the Punch Line in Race 9.

NEW KENT, Va. (July 6, 2026) — Trainer Robert Bailes will send out a pair of live contenders on Saturday’s expanded stakes program at Colonial Downs, with War Humor targeting the $125,000 Punch Line, a 5½-furlong turf sprint for older Virginia-bred or Virginia-sired horses, and Slewperstitus set for another showdown with rival Just Philtored in the $125,000 Miss Disco, a seven-furlong dirt stakes for Virginia- and Maryland-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Originally scheduled to feature only the $125,000 Glenn Petty Stakes and $125,000 Punch Line Stakes for older Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired turf sprinters, Saturday’s program expanded to include four stakes after last week’s postponement of the Miss Disco and $125,000 Star De Naskra Stakes. The 10-race card begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.

War Humor enters the Punch Line as the 5-1 morning-line third choice off the biggest victory of his career after capturing the Edward P. Evans Stakes on opening weekend. The victory came at 1 1/16- miles, a new challenge for a horse whose previous three wins all came sprinting 5½ furlongs.

Bailes said the stretch-out was never intended simply as a steppingstone back to a sprint.

“It wasn’t a prep for this,” Bailes said. “We basically entered into the long race, and if we didn’t think we were in the right spot, then we’d probably skip it and come back for the Punch Line. We thought we could win it, so we gave it a shot going long.”

The trainer said connections have not completely committed to Saturday’s Punch Line and will continue monitoring the gelding this week before making a final decision.

“We’re going to let the horse tell us if he’s ready to go throughout the week and see how he’s doing,” Bailes said. “He’s feeling very good right now.”

Should he start, War Humor will face a competitive field that includes Determined Kingdom, a three-time Punch Line winner trained by Mike Trombetta.

Earlier on the card, Bailes will saddle 8-5 morning-line second choice Slewperstitus in the seven-furlong Miss Disco as she renews her rivalry with likely favorite Just Philtored. The two 3-year-old fillies have met four times, with Slewperstitus finishing directly behind her rival in each encounter, including both stakes meetings at Colonial Downs last summer.

Bailes believes his Maryland Million Lassie winner has developed considerably since those meetings.

“She has definitely matured physically,” Bailes said. “She’s filled out a little bit more. If you ask me, she’s just right.”

The postponement gave the filly another week between starts after last Saturday’s races were called off.

“We were really looking forward to running on Saturday, but they made the right decision not to run because of the heat,” Bailes said. “We worked her back yesterday, and hopefully we’ll be smiling on Saturday.”

Slewperstitus drew the rail for the seven-furlong test and will again be ridden by Jevian Toledo. While the inside post could produce a favorable stalking trip, Bailes is content to leave the tactics to his veteran rider.

“We’ll leave that up to Mr. Toledo,” Bailes said.

Saturday’s 50-cent Late Pick 5, featuring a 12% takeout, begins with the Miss Disco in Race 6 and includes the Star De Naskra in Race 7, the Glenn Petty in Race 8 and the Punch Line in Race 9.

Live racing resumes Thursday, July 9, with a regular first post of 12:30 p.m. ET. Colonial Downs has also added a live racing program for Monday, July 13.

NEW KENT, Va. (July 5, 2026) — Four $125,000 stakes highlight Saturday’s 10-race program at Colonial Downs, with fan favorite Determined Kingdom seeking an unprecedented fourth victory in the Punch Line Stakes.

Originally scheduled to feature only the $125,000 Glenn Petty and $125,000 Punch Line, companion turf sprints for older Virginia-bred and Virginia-sired runners, Saturday’s stakes program expanded after last week’s postponement of the $125,000 Miss Disco and $125,000 Star De Naskra. The companion seven-furlong dirt stakes are restricted to Virginia- and/or Maryland-bred 3-year-olds. First post for the 10-race card is 12:30 p.m. ET.

Saturday’s 50-cent Late Pick 5, featuring a 12% takeout, covers all four stakes beginning with the Miss Disco in Race 6. The Star De Naskra is Race 7, followed by the Glenn Petty in Race 8 and the Punch Line in Race 9.

The Estate of R. Larry Johnson’s Determined Kingdom headlines a field of eight older males in the 5½-furlong Punch Line Stakes. Trained by Mike Trombetta, the 7-year-old returns to Colonial Downs after earning his first victory since joining Trombetta’s barn by defeating a strong allowance field during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga. Named Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year in 2024, Determined Kingdom has made the Punch Line his signature race, winning the sprint stakes three times. He scratched from the 2025 edition when it was moved to the main track. Mychel Sanchez has the return call from post 3.

His chief rival may be War Humor, who breaks from the post immediately to his outside. Trained by Robert Bailes, War Humor enters off the first stakes victory of his career after capturing the Edward P. Evans Stakes on opening weekend. While successful at 1 1/16 miles, all three of his previous victories came sprinting 5½ furlongs.

The companion Glenn Petty Stakes drew a field of six older fillies and mares led by Quadra, who nearly wired the field in the Brookmeade Stakes on opening weekend before settling for third. Following a similar effort in last year’s Brookmeade, Quadra responded with a front-running allowance victory over the Colonial turf, earning a career-best 85 Beyer Speed Figure. Now trained by Ricky Hendriks, the filly reunites with Sanchez, who rode her in all three Colonial Downs starts last summer.

The postponed Miss Disco Stakes renews the rivalry between Just Philtored and Slewperstitus as they meet for the fifth time.

Owned by Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds and trained by Trombetta, Just Philtored is unbeaten in restricted company, including victories in last year’s Keswick and Dolley Madison Stakes at Colonial Downs. The daughter of Great Notion will be ridden by Mychel Sanchez.

Eric Rizer’s Maryland Million Lassie winner Slewperstitus finished one spot behind Just Philtored in each of their previous four meetings, including both Colonial Downs stakes last summer. Jevian Toledo has the call astride the daughter of Great Notion.

The Star De Naskra Stakes attracted a competitive field of eight 3-year-olds headed by Gold Square’s Tartabull.

Purchased for $310,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Tapit will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton with defending Colonial Downs riding champion Paco Lopez aboard.

Among his challengers is Forge Ahead Stable’s Sav’n Money, who ships from Churchill Downs for trainer Wayne Catalano. The half-brother to 2024 Brookmeade Stakes winner Tufani was runner-up to Woody Stephens Stakes winner Englishman earlier this spring and exits a start on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Jareth Loveberry has the mount.

The postponed Miss Disco Stakes renews the rivalry between Just Philtored and Slewperstitus as they meet for the fifth time and loom largest in the field of six fillies.
Owned by Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds and trained by Trombetta, Just Philtored is unbeaten in restricted company, including victories in last year’s Keswick and Dolly Madison Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Eric Rizer’s Maryland Million Lassie winner Slewperstitus has finished behind Just Philtored in each of their previous four meetings, including both Colonial Downs stakes last summer.

The Star De Naskra Stakes attracted a competitive field of eight 3-year-olds headed by Gold Square’s Tartabull. Purchased for $310,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Tapit will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton with defending Colonial Downs riding champion Paco Lopez aboard.

Among his challengers is Forge Ahead Stable’s Sav’n Money, who has shipped in from Churchill Downs for trainer Wayne Catalano and posted a local breeze July 5. The half brother to 2024 Brookmeade Stakes winner Tufani was runner-up to Woody Stephens Stakes winner Englishman earlier this spring and exits a start on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Jareth Loveberry has the mount.

Live racing resumes at Colonial Downs with a special 10:45 a.m. ET first post on Monday, July 6. Regular 12:30 p.m. post times resume on Thursday, July 9. Colonial Downs also has added a live racing program on Monday, July 13.

~ Saturday and Sunday Cards Shift to 10:45 a.m. Start ~

NEW KENT, VA. (July 2, 2026) – Colonial Downs has rescheduled the live racing card for Friday, July 3 and will move it in its entirety as drawn to Monday, July 6.

In addition, Colonial Downs will shift the programs scheduled for Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 to begin at 10:45 a.m.

Monday’s card will begin at the regular 12:30 p.m. post time.

Saturday’s racing action is topped by a pair of stakes for Virginia and/or Maryland-breds – the $125,000 Miss Disco and the $125,000 Star De Naskra.

For the latest information on racing from Colonial Downs, visit www.colonialdowns.com

NEW KENT, Va. (July 1, 2026) – Following an opening weekend highlighted by victories by War Humor and Day to Day in a pair of $125,000 Virginia-restricted stakes, Colonial Downs returns Thursday with an eight-race program featuring several accomplished runners and standout pedigrees.

Opening weekend stakes action concluded with War Humor capturing the Edward P. Evans Stakes in gate-to-wire fashion. Ridden by Jevian Toledo for trainer Robert W. Bailes, the 4-year-old gelding defeated Virginia Fitz by 1 1/4 lengths while covering 1 1/8 miles over the firm turf in 1:43.17. Favorite Green Beans finished third.

In the Brookmeade Stakes, Day to Day delivered a dominant performance for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., sweeping to the lead on the far turn before drawing away by 2 1/4 lengths under Paco Lopez. The 3-year-old filly completed 1 1/8 miles on the firm turf in 1:42.92, with Sun Cross second and pacesetter Quadra third.

Thursday’s feature is Race 8, where Screen Test heads a full field of 12 sophomore fillies going one mile on the inner turf. Trained by Graham Motion, the daughter of Not This Time broke her maiden impressively at Laurel Park last fall and is a half-sister to Grade 1-placed turf standout Test Score. Her main rival is Mia Familia, tabbed as the 7-2 morning-line favorite, who exits a second-place finish in the Martha Washington Stakes at Gulfstream Park for trainer Jose D’Angelo.

Earlier on the card, millionaire turf sprinter One Timer makes his Colonial Downs debut in Race 2. Trained by Larry Rivelli, the 7-year-old son of Trappe Shot has earned more than $1 million with seven victories, including the Grade 2 Franklin-Simpson Stakes, and brings extensive graded stakes experience to the field.

Race 3 features Virginia-bred Emerald Spun, the 3-5 morning-line favorite in the opening leg of the 50-cent Old Dominion 6 (Races 3-8), which carries a 15% takeout. Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, the 3-year-old daughter of Hard Spun is a half-sister to dual Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year Gigante.

Colonial Downs will shift its Thursday, Friday and Saturday live racing cards to a 10:45 a.m. ET first post because of forecast high temperatures in the New Kent area. Colonial Downs officials will continue to monitor the latest forecasts, with Sunday’s card currently scheduled for its regular 12:30 p.m. first post.

NEW KENT, Va. (July 1, 2026) — Red White and Blue Racing and London Reid Thoroughbreds’ Just Philtored will put her perfect record against restricted company on the line Saturday when she renews her rivalry with Slewperstitus in the $125,000 Miss Disco Stakes at Colonial Downs.

The Miss Disco and the $125,000 Star De Naskra Stakes headline Saturday’s eight-race program as companion seven-furlong dirt stakes for Virginia- and/or Maryland-bred 3-year-olds.

Trained by Mike Trombetta, Just Philtored is unbeaten in three starts against restricted competition, including victories in last year’s Keswick and Dolly Madison Stakes at Colonial. Mychel Sanchez has the return call aboard the daughter of Great Notion, who was installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite.

Eric Rizer’s Maryland Million Lassie winner Slewperstitus has finished behind Just Philtored in each of their four previous meetings, including runner-up efforts in both the Keswick and Dolly Madison. Trained by Robert Bailes, the daughter of Great Notion will be ridden by Jevian Toledo and is the 9-5 second choice on the morning line.

The six-horse field also includes Just Philtored’s stablemate Hark Theangelssing, who will make her first start on dirt after scoring against open rivals in the Stormy Blues on the turf at Laurel Park.

The companion $125,000 Star De Naskra attracted a competitive field of eight led by Gold Square’s Tartabull, the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Purchased for $310,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the son of Tapit will make his first start for trainer Rohan Crichton with defending Colonial Downs riding champion Paco Lopez aboard.

Boasting a second-place finish to Woody Stephens (G1) winner Englishman in March, Forge Ahead Stables’ Sav’n Money ships in from Churchill Downs for trainer Wayne Catalano. After finishing behind Gilded Bandit on the Kentucky Derby undercard, the half-brother to 2024 Brookmeade Stakes winner Tufani has posted a strong series of workouts leading into his Colonial Downs debut and will be ridden by Jareth Loveberry.

With heat forecast for the New Kent area, first post for Thursday, Friday and Saturday has been moved to 10:45 a.m. ET. The Miss Disco is goes as Race 6, followed immediately by the Star De Naskra in Race 7.

Here is the complete field for the $125,000 Miss Disco from the rail out with jockey, trainer and morning line odds:

Mon Reve (Jareth Loveberry, Vicki Oliver, 12-1)
Doc’s Miracle (Paco Lopez, Gary Capuano, 5-1)
Slewperstitus (Toledo, Bailes, 9-5)
Just Philtored (Sanchez, Trombetta, 7-5)
Irish Jig (Carol Cedeno, Keri Deiter, 8-1)
Hark Theangelssing (Ismael Villalobos, Trombetta, 6-1)

Here is the complete field for the $125,000 Star De Naskra from the rail out with jockey, trainer and morning line odds:

Close the Gate (John Rocco Jr., John Salzman Jr., 3-1)
G Q Worthy (Xavier Perez, Jerry Robb, 12-1)
Magic Wallet (Jorge Ruiz, Kieron Magee, 6-1)
Sav’n Money ( Loveberry, Catalano, 10-1)
State Conceal (Johan Rosado, Claudio Munoz, 20-1)
Top Manipulator (Forest Boyce, Timothy Keefe, 7-2)
Pont Aven (Mychel Sanchez, Michael Trombetta, 5-1)
Tartabull (Lopez, Crichton, 5-2)

NEW KENT, VA. (June 30, 2026) – Colonial Downs will shift its Thursday, Friday and Saturday live racing cards to 10:45 a.m. ET first post due to forecasted heat for the New Kent, Va area. Last race each day will be at approximately 2 p.m.

Colonial Downs officials will continue to monitor the latest forecasts, with Sunday’s card currently scheduled for its regular 12:30 p.m. first post.

Saturday’s racing action is topped by a pair of stakes for Virginia and/or Maryland-breds – the $125,000 Miss Disco and the $125,000 Star De Naskra.

For the latest information on racing from Colonial Downs, visit www.colonialdowns.com

NEW KENT, Va. (June 22, 2026) — Colonial Downs launches its 2026 summer racing season Thursday, June 25, with 22 turf races during opening week on its acclaimed Secretariat Turf Course, a strong lineup of stakes races, a competitive jockey and trainer colony, and one of the most player-friendly wagering menus in North America.

The meet will be conducted Thursday through Sunday, with a first post of 12:30 p.m. ET. Opening weekend includes a pair of Virginia-restricted turf stakes on Saturday: the Brookmeade Stakes for fillies and mares and the Edward P. Evans Stakes for runners ages 3 and older, both contested at 1 1/16 miles.

An additional special all-steeplechase card will be held Monday, June 29, beginning at 10:45 a.m. The program features the Grade 2 Theodora A. Randolph Stakes, a 2 1/4-mile steeplechase for fillies and mares ages 4 and older that serves as the first leg of the National Steeplechase Association’s Triple Tiara series. Colonial Downs will host all three legs of the Triple Tiara in 2026, further cementing its position as one of the nation’s premier steeplechase venues.

A deep jockey colony returns to Colonial Downs for the summer. Leading rider Paco Lopez, who captured last year’s riding title, is back along with Mychel Sanchez, Jorge Ruiz, Sheldon Russell, Jevian Toledo and Daniel Centeno. Riders expected to have significant opportunities during opening week include Jareth Loveberry, Rajiv Maragh, Nik Juarez, Sonny Leon, Carlos Montalvo and Samuel Marin.

The trainer ranks are equally strong. Defending leading trainer Mike Trombetta returns alongside Brittany Russell, Mark Casse, Kenny McPeek, Mike Stidham, Robert Bailes, Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Whit Beckman. Among the newcomers expected to maintain a substantial presence this summer are Jose D’Angelo and Joe Orseno.

Colonial Downs’ expansive Secretariat Turf Course remains one of the track’s signature attractions and a major draw for horsemen and horseplayers alike. Measuring 180 feet wide and accommodating large fields, the course has earned a reputation for producing competitive racing and attractive wagering opportunities.

Horseplayers will again find an attractive wagering menu highlighted by low-takeout multi-race bets. Both the early and late 50-cent Pick 5 wagers feature a 12% takeout, while the 50-cent Old Dominion 6 carries a 15% takeout rate. Colonial Downs also offers rolling $1 Daily Doubles and $1 Pick 3s throughout the card, as well as early and late 50-cent Pick 4s.

New for 2026 is a $3 Late Pick 3 with a 15% takeout that covers the final three races on every card. The wager is designed to provide bettors with a compelling late-race betting opportunity while delivering strong value through a player-friendly takeout rate.

Beyond the racing action, Colonial Downs will offer a full calendar of special events throughout the summer. Fan favorites include Corgi Races on June 27 and Wiener Dog Racing on Aug. 15, while Family Fun Days return on multiple dates featuring Military Appreciation Day, Teacher Day, Princess and Tractor Day, Claiming Crown Preview Day and First Responder Day. The meet’s marquee racing events include the Festival of Racing on Aug. 1 and Old Dominion Derby Day on Sept. 7.

For more information, visit ColonialDowns.com.