Live Racing
Virginia's Premier Racetrack Destination
There’s so much to experience at Colonial Downs in New Kent. Get your heart racing! Parking and general admission are FREE.
For any questions about live racing & tickets, please contact 804-557-5684.
2024 RACE DATES
Every Thursday – Saturday now through September 7.
Gates open one hour prior to post time, except: Saturday, August 10, Saturday, August 24 and Saturday, September 7.
Thursday and Saturdays: 1:30PM post with the last race ending at approximately 5:45PM.
Friday: 4:30PM post with last race ending at approximately 8:45PM.
August 10: Colonial Downs Festival of Racing.
September 7: New Kent County Virginia Derby | 1PM post, gates open at 11:30AM.
Mark Your Calendars!
THURSDAY – 1:30PM POST
Special Steeplechase post times for July 18, August 1, August 8, August 22, September 5: 11:45AM (First Flat Will Be Race 4 And Starts At 1:30PM)
Thirsty Thursdays
Purchase a 2024 Colonial Downs souvenir 16oz cup for $12 and receive $3 drafts every Thursday during the racing season. Plus, enjoy $4 12 oz draft specials and $3 hot dogs.
FRIDAY – 4:30PM POST
Party at the Downs
Happy Hour from 4PM – 7PM: $4 12 oz domestic beer drafts + $5 wine.
Live music in the trackside tent between races. Click here for the lineup.
SATURDAY – 1:30PM POST
July 27: NASCAR Day
Aug. 3: Taste of New Kent + Hat Giveaway
*Aug. 10: Colonial Downs Festival of Racing
Aug. 17: New Kent County Fair
Aug. 24: Wiener Dog Racing
Aug. 31: Commonwealth Champions Day
*Sept. 7: Virginia Derby Day + Secretariat Poster Giveaway
*All post times subject to change
Secretariat Turf Course
Colonial’s two state-of-the-art racing surfaces are second to none. The Secretariat Turf Course is the widest grass racing surface in North America and has played host to champion horses over the last two decades in prestigious races like the New Kent County Virginia Derby. The dirt track is the country’s second largest and offers equine athletes a safe and sprawling oval to compete over.
Seating Options
Sky Box
For additional information, please contact [email protected]
1609 Turf Club
Indoor seating. Ticket price includes a premium view, balcony access, live racing program and designated wagering section. A la carte restaurant service and beverage menu will be provided for additional fee. Enter through main facility entrance.
Jockey Club
Indoor seating. Ticket price includes in-seat food service on Thursdays & Fridays, buffet on Saturdays. Beverage service provided for an additional fee. Ticket also includes live racing program and designated wagering section. Enter through the main facility entrance.
Grandstand Boxes
Covered, outdoor seating. Ticket includes live racing program and designated wagering section. Ticket does not include food or beverage service but concessions will be available for your convenience. Enter through General Admission entrance near the paddock. Note: must take stairs to get to seats.
Grandstand Reserved
Covered, outdoor seating. Ticket pricing does not include food or beverage service but concessions will be available for your convenience. Designated wagering section available in the grandstands. Enter through General Admission entrance near the paddock. Note: must take stairs to get to seats.
General Admission
General Admission is FREE and offers apron access with track-side and paddock-side viewing. Outdoor concessions and wagering will be available.
Betting Options
Feel the excitement of pari-mutuel wagering, to include live racing as well as simulcast races, in addition to historical horse racing (HHR) electronic gaming devices.
Live Betting
Available at Colonial Downs, any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium or any VA-Horseplay OTB.
Off Track Betting
Whether you’re visiting Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake or Breakers Sports Grille in Henrico, you’ll experience edge-of-your-seat horse racing excitement.
Horsemen Information
We’ve got your race day covered with Horsemen’s Information including condition books, stakes schedule, entries/results, forms and more.
News
Stay up to date on the latest at Colonial Downs Racetrack!
