Colonial Downs Broadcasting in High Definition for 2019 Meet

Colonial Downs, which opened on August 8 for its first live race meet since 2013, is broadcasting races this year in high definition. The signal upgrade was assisted through The Jockey Club High Definition (HD) Grant Fund.

Stuart S. Janney III, chairman of The Jockey Club, announced the creation of the HD Grant Fund at the 2018 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing in response to findings from McKinsey & Company’s 2018 analysis of the Thoroughbred industry, which were presented at the conference. The McKinsey team found that less than one-third of all racetracks broadcast provided HD signals, and they recommended that racetracks upgrade to HD signals to be competitive with other sports following the legalization of sports betting.

Through the HD Grant Fund, qualifying tracks may receive up to $150,000 to purchase or lease HD production equipment. Colonial Downs is the fourth racetrack to use this fund, following Hawthorne Race Course, Delaware Park, and Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack.

“By taking advantage of the HD Grant Fund to assist our ‘Racing Revival,’ we have been able to sustain our core principle of providing our fans with a first-class racing product,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs’ vice president of racing operations. ”Colonial Downs is honored to be selected by The Jockey Club as its most recent grant recipient.”

“We are pleased to assist Colonial Downs in showcasing its racing product in the best possible light, and are confident that this upgrade will pay dividends in improving handle and the fan experience today and in the future,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club.