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StableDuel, Colonial Downs Team Up For Preakness Watch Party

StableDuel is proud to announce that it will be hosting a Preakness Stakes Watch Party, on Saturday, May 15, at Colonial Downs, near Richmond, Virginia. The StableDuel/Colonial Downs Preakness Stakes Watch Party continues StableDuel's mission of supporting Thoroughbred racetracks outside of popular mainstream meets.

StableDuel is racing's newest game and its popular contest format allows players to compete against one another, in a social community forum, throughout an entire race card. Players compete by selecting a stable of 10 horses, prior to the first post, and accumulate points based on order of finish. StableDuel offers multiple contests with different entry levels and big cash payouts.

“We love that our players can enjoy racing in such a fun and unique way.” says Bri Mott, Director of Marketing for StableDuel, “We are even more excited knowing that by playing the game, players are enjoying every race and many giving more money to the track through their traditional ADW wagers. It's a win-win for everyone.”

Colonial Downs, located in New Kent, Va., has its 2021 meet opening this summer beginning July 19. The racetrack was closed for 10 years, reopened, and quickly became popular both in its home state and nationally with flush purse sizes and competitive turf racing. Outside of its racing meet, Colonial Downs has it's Rosie's Gaming properties which acts are both OTB's showcasing simulcasting and slot gaming options. In the past 2 years, the enterprise has grown to 5 properties throughout the state.

“Colonial Downs is thrilled to start this partnership with StableDuel,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations. “We encourage our fans to download the StableDuel app and come enjoy the Preakness Watch Party at Colonial Downs.”

The StableDuel Watch Party at Colonial Downs is free to attend. Head to the track to enjoy a great day of racing, cocktails, food and fun. Bring your friends and family and play against each other in the StableDuel contest. StableDuel offers 3 contests for the Preakness Stakes:

Preakness Stakes Challenge brought to you by ClassicCars.com – $100 Entry, $20,000 Guarantee Prize

Preakness DOUBLE UP $1,000 Entry, $2,000 Guarantee

Pimlico-FREE RIDE $250 Guarantee Prize

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New Study Shows Virginia Horse Racing Industry Has $542.1 Million Economic Impact

“And they're off…”

When it comes to the horse racing industry in Virginia and the economic impact it is generating, that's an appropriate metaphor. According to a newly released study, the industry generated an estimated economic impact of $542.1 million in the Commonwealth in 2019.

“What we're finding is that jobs are coming back, horse racing related expenditures are up, and tax revenue to the state is increasing,” said John Hannum, Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance. “These are all very positive signs that the racing industry is moving in the right direction and benefiting the Commonwealth's agribusiness and related businesses. Racing was at a low point in 2014 after the closure of Colonial Downs' racetrack. The General Assembly took a number of steps, most notably the passage of Historical Horse Racing machines in 2018, that provided the revenue to re-open the track and fund the revitalization of the industry. The study points to the enormous strides the industry has made since 2014.”

The study was commissioned by the Virginia Equine Alliance, the industry's organizational body that promotes the racing and breeding industry throughout the state. Chmura Economics and Analytics (Chmura), a research consulting firm in Richmond, VA, conducted the study.

Highlights of the new study include:

Overall economic impact for 2019 of $542.1 million.
Annual horse-related expenditures by Virginia horsemen estimated at $239.44 million in 2019.
Overall total in state tax revenue for 2019 estimated at $26.5 million.
Estimated total economic impact of horse racing events and visitor spending in Virginia was $68.7 million in 2019.
Jobs supported in 2019 by the horse racing and breeding industry estimated at more than 5,000.
The average amount spent by horsemen in Virginia to care for, train, and board a race horse is estimated at $14,663.

“The Commonwealth has a rich history of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, from even before the days of Triple Crown-winning Secretariat from Caroline County and continuing to today. The industry is an important part of our agriculture economy, especially in rural parts of Virginia,” said Bettina Ring, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “A successful horse industry means that more farms remain economically viable, which in turn makes it easier to maintain and conserve productive farmland throughout the Commonwealth. I am pleased that the results of this study support that Virginia continues to be a place where the horse industry can thrive.”

Karen Godsey, owner of Eagle Point Farm, a 200-acre Thoroughbred training center in Ashland, VA has seen first-hand the benefit of the Thoroughbred industry coming back stronger in the last few years.

“Our industry has really seen a tremendous turnaround,” Godsey said. “I've been able to recruit and retain more workers, because I am able to pay them a higher per-hour rate than before. I've also had to rent out two additional farms for more horses.”

D.G. Van Clief, Chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission stated: “much of the industry's success over the last few years has been the result of the entire industry coming together and working for the shared goal of revitalizing racing. We are now in a position to grow the sport and add racing days. I am excited about the prospects for racing in the state.”

According to this study, the economic impact is likely an underestimation of the full potential impact in 2019. For example, Colonial Downs race track in New Kent, VA, was only open for nine months in 2019, versus a full 12 months. On the racing side, there were 18 race days, attracting 42,000 spectators. In future years, those racing days are expected to likely double, generating even more of an economic impact.

“We're eager to see how these numbers increase when life gets back to normal and we have a full year of activity at the venue,” Hannum said.

The post New Study Shows Virginia Horse Racing Industry Has $542.1 Million Economic Impact appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Tickets To Colonial Downs Meet Go On Sale Monday

Live racing returns to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County, Va., in July, August and September with premium tickets going on sale Monday, March 15. General admission and parking are free. The best Thoroughbred horses and trainers from around the country will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for seven weeks from July 19 through Sept. 1. Post time each day will be 1:45 pm. Premium tickets and full racing schedule are available at www.colonialdowns.com.

Colonial Downs offers a family friendly atmosphere for everyone, casual dining in the Jockey Club and upscale Turf Club dining, private suites for larger parties, outdoor clubhouse boxes, reserved grandstand seating and a hospitality tent trackside with concession fare open to everyone.

Other race meet highlights include:

· Approximately $500,000 in daily purses and over $2.75 million in total stakes, including a robust Virginia bred and certified schedule during the meet will attract the best horses and jockeys from around the country to compete on the renowned Secretariat turf course, and second largest dirt track in North America.

· July 19 – 21 – opening week kicks off with over $400,000 in VA bred and restricted stakes races.

· Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 – closing week offering over $1.2 million in stakes races highlighted by the Virginia Derby® and Virginia Oaks® premier races on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

“As we enter our third year of racing, Colonial Downs looks forward to once again hosting top horses and horsemen from across the country with daily purses offered amongst the highest during the summer months,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs Group. “The past year of the pandemic has been so challenging for everyone, we can't wait to see our wonderful fans and supporters safely enjoying the excitement of live horse racing.”

John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations at Colonial Downs Group added: “I think we are all ready to put some fun back in our lives. With a variety of ticketing and dining options as well as free general admission, Colonial Downs makes for an entertaining afternoon and evening out for everyone.”

The post Tickets To Colonial Downs Meet Go On Sale Monday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Colonial Downs Cancels Tuesday, Wednesday Cards After McCarthy Tests Positive For COVID-19

Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. has cancelled both its Tuesday and Wednesday cards this week after leading rider Trevor McCarthy tested positive for COVID-19, reports the Daily Racing Form.

McCarthy experienced symptoms on Saturday, and subsequently took off his mounts on Sunday and Monday. His agent, Scott Silver, reported that the rider got tested Tuesday although he was feeling better, and was later told he was positive.

The track will seek guidance from the Virginia Department of Health on how to proceed.