Cranking It Up at Colonial Downs

Put on your seersucker suit or don your most colorful hat: Horse racing returns to Colonial Downs in New Kent on July 11. This year brings more races, higher purses and more family fun.

“We are making a bigger step forward this year to achieve the goal of becoming one of the top summertime tracks,” says Frank Hopf, senior director of racing with Colonial Downs.

The track is hosting 27 race days with $5.7 million in prize money over its season, which stretches from Thursday, July 11, to Saturday, Sept. 7. The highlight will be the Festival of Racing on Saturday, Aug. 10, which will include the track’s three big races — the Grade 1 Arlington Million and two Grade 2 races, the Beverly D and the Secretariat Stakes — as well as four additional races.

Promotions include Thirsty Thursdays, which kick off on opening day; offers include $4 for 12-ounce domestic beers and $2 hot dogs, and $3 domestic beers every Thursday through the season with purchase of a $12 souvenir cup. Fridays host Party at the Downs, with happy hour specials and music.

Each Saturday will feature a different event, including Richmond Flying Squirrels Day on July 20 and NASCAR Day on July 27. For those who want to get into racing but don’t have a horse, there are Wiener Dog Races on Aug. 24.

General admission is free; grandstand and box-seat tickets start at $5. Colonial Downs is open to all ages, and every Saturday is Family Day, with pony rides, petting zoos and face painting. —Claire Fortier with Matthew Sporn