Colonial Downs Serving Up World Class Racing and Entertainment at Saturday’s Festival of Racing

~ Biggest day of racing in Virginia history will feature Kentucky Derby winning horse, trainers, and jockeys and unbeatable family-friendly entertainment ~

NEW KENT, Va. (August 8, 2025)—Colonial Downs is gearing up for tomorrow’s Festival of Racing which will feature world class thoroughbred horse racing and family-friendly entertainment including live performances from American Idol star and New Kent County native Grayson Torrence. The racing gets started at noon and continues through the afternoon and into the evening.

Only a handful of covered, indoor, and banquet tickets remain, with General Admission tickets available for just $5 (children five and under free). All tickets can be purchased at www.ColonialDowns.com for this premium racing day.

Highlights of the day’s race card include:

• More than $2.8 million in prize money, the most ever for a single day of racing in Virginia
• Twelve total races including high-profile graded stakes races Arlington Million (Grade 1), Beverly D. (Grade 1), and Secretariat Stakes (Grade 2)
• Colonial Downs’ first Kentucky Derby winning horse, Mystik Dan, who will run in the Arlington Million
• Irish invader Cairo who will make his American debut in the Arlington Million
• 2023 Virginia Derby winner Integration who will enter the Arlington Million as morning line favorite
• The winning jockeys of the last three Kentucky Derbies: Junior Alvarado (2025), Brian Hernandez, Jr. (2024), and Javier Castellano (2023)
• Horses, trainers, jockeys, and race teams with multiple Triple Crown race victories on their resumes

The day will also feature a special tribute to Virginia’s veterans and military families which includes free admission for veterans and active duty military, special welcome videos from Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Speaker of the House Don Scott, a moment of silence in remembrance of fallen heroes, and a special recognition in the Winner’s Circle for all veterans and military service members in attendance.

Because The Race is Just the Start, the Festival of Racing will offer family friendly entertainment throughout the day including:

• live music from American Idol contestant and New Kent native Grayson Torrence during the race card;
• a classic race day hat contest where the winner receives a table for four to the 2026 Virginia Derby;
• commemorative tumbler giveaway (while supplies last);
• 15 lucky ticket purchasers will receive a free $100 Win bet (Must purchase tickets by 10:00am on Friday, August 8) to qualify; and
• family friendly activities including local food trucks, a petting zoo, facepainting, and more!

Racing at Colonial Downs continues every Wednesday through Saturday until September 13 with a special Labor Day race card on Monday, September 1. Remaining Premium Racing Events include the fan favorite Wiener Dog Racing (August 23), and Old Dominion Derby Day (September 9).