CLOSING-DAY STAKES TAKING SHAPE AS COLONIAL DOWNS MEET ENTERS FINAL TWO WEEKS
Posted on August 26th, 2026
NEW KENT, Va. (Aug 26, 2026) — With two weeks remaining in the 2026 Colonial Downs meet, attention is turning toward a stakes-filled closing day as the races for leading jockey, trainer and owner continue to take shape.
The Labor Day stakes program on Monday, Sept. 7 will feature six turf stakes, led by the 23rd running of the Grade 3 $500,000 Old Dominion Derby. Among the possible entries for the 1 1/8-mile turf headliner are Brad Cox trainees Royal Guard, owned by FMQ Stables, and Juddmonte’s Touch of Fire. Other possibilities include Calumet Farm’s Black Hornet for trainer Brendan Walsh; Heeere’s Johnny for Raymond Handal; Cherie DeVaux trainees Dr. Agne and Supercharger; Caroline St. Beat for Miguel Clement; Fuzzbuster for Victoria Oliver; and Bull By The Horns for Saffie Joseph, Jr.
The companion $250,000 Old Dominion Oaks will likely include one of Cox’s four nominees, though the trainer is still deciding which to send to New Kent: Dagmara for Don Alberto Stable, Kentucky Belle for WinStar Farm, Scratch It for Fergus Galvin, Mrs. M. V. Magnier and Linda Shanahan, or Wathnan Racing’s Sneakily.
The other four closing-day stakes are the $150,000 Colonial Cup, contested at 1½ miles on the turf; the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes, a 5½-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds and older; the $125,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1-1/16 miles on turf; and the $125,000 Exacta Systems Rosie’s Stakes, a 5½ -furlong turf sprint for juveniles.
Entries for the Labor Day card will be drawn Monday, Aug. 31.
Trombetta, Russell Deadlocked in Trainer Race; Lopez Holds Commanding Lead in Jockey Standings
The trainer standings could go down to the final days of the meet, with Michael Trombetta and Brittany Russell tied with 17 victories apiece.
Trombetta has made 94 starts, recording 17 wins, 18 seconds and 13 thirds for $1,288,750 in earnings. Russell has reached 17 victories from only 72 starters, winning at a 24% rate while earning $1,153,925.
Jamie Ness is close behind with 15 wins from 65 starts, followed by Mark Casse with 12, Arnaud Delacour with nine and Robert Bailes with eight.
Paco Lopez holds a commanding lead in the jockey standings with 45 wins from 206 mounts and earnings of $2,648,588. Samuel Marin is second with 30 victories, while Jareth Loveberry ranks third with 26.
Sonny Leon has 20 wins, with Jorge Ruiz, Mychel Sanchez and Sheldon Russell tied at 19. Russell has reached that mark from just 77 mounts, winning at a 25% rate.
The owner standings also remain competitive. Colts Neck Stables and GOP Racing Stable lead with six wins apiece, while the Estate of R. Larry Johnson,
The Elkstone Group and Amaty Racing Stables each have five.
Three Stakes Highlight Saturday Program
Saturday’s nine-race program is headed by two juvenile turf stakes and the $100,000 Camptown Handicap, with first post at 12:25 p.m. ET.
Undefeated Cyber Spy, 2-for-2 for trainer Mark Casse, makes her turf debut against five rivals in the $125,000 Dolley Madison Stakes, carded as Race 3.
She enters off a victory in the Aug. 2 Keswick and faces top contenders Cakey, Royal Companion and Mountain Mamba.
The $125,000 Jamestown Stakes, Race 7, drew eight 2-year-olds. Trombetta-trained Fission returns to turf after finishing seventh over a muddy track in the Hickory Tree. He previously won a Colonial turf maiden by 2¼ lengths. Harewood and Remembertheword are among the other leading contenders.
Trombetta will also send out 3-year-olds Hark Theangelssing and Just Philtored against older Virginia-restricted fillies and mares in the $100,000
Camptown Handicap, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint carded as Race 8. Veteran Chickahominy is among the leading older contenders.
First Responder Day, Fan Appreciation Day Ahead
Colonial Downs will salute local first responders Sunday, Aug. 30, with First Responder Day. First post is 12:30 p.m., with live racing, a petting zoo and other family activities. Veterans can obtain tickets through Vet Tix (www.vettix.org).
The following Saturday, Sept. 5, Colonial Downs will host Fan Appreciation Day, also with first post at 12:30 p.m. General admission is free, with $2 race programs, $2 hot dogs, $4 domestic beers and $4 sodas. Reserved seating is available for purchase.
The meet concludes Monday, Sept. 7, with Old Dominion Derby Day. Gates open at 11 a.m. and first post is noon. The six-stakes Labor Day card will bring the 2026 Colonial Downs season to a close, highlighted by the Grade 3 Old Dominion Derby, Old Dominion Oaks and Colonial Cup.
