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Colonial Downs, Jockeys’ Guild Join In Industry Partnership Agreement

The Jockeys' Guild and Colonial Downs Group announced today they have entered into a long-term industry partnership agreement. Under the terms of the multi-year deal, Colonial Downs® will contribute to the Guild to help subsidize health insurance, life insurance and temporary disability benefits for members who regularly ride at Colonial Downs®, as well as benefits for all jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild and ride in the United States.

Terry Meyocks, President & CEO of the Jockeys' Guild, said, “We truly appreciate our partnership with Colonial Downs® to assist in providing these important benefits for our members. Their on-going efforts to provide a safe racing environment for everyone, as well as this agreement, reinforces the commitment of Colonial Downs® to work together for the betterment of our sport.”

“We sincerely appreciate Colonial Downs® and their support of the Guild and its members,” said Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, Co-Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild. “They believe in a safe racing environment and our members recognize and appreciate these efforts.”

“The safety of both jockeys and equine athletes is a priority at Colonial Downs®,” said Jill Byrne, Vice-President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs Racetrack. “Our riders continually compliment the integrity of our surfaces and our proven safety record. This partnership acknowledges and further solidifies our long-term commitment to the horse racing industry.”

“Horse racing is the centerpiece of our business in Virginia and the revival of it can only continue with the support of the industry participants, including the jockeys,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs Group. “We are honored to have partnered with the Guild as we keep our commitment to building Colonial Downs® into one of the country's premier race meets. This agreement can be a shining example for those in the industry sharing the common interest of improving the integrity of horse racing.”

For more information on Colonial Downs® and the Jockeys' Guild visit:

https://www.colonialdowns.com/racing/

http://www.jockeysguild.com

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Colonial Downs Meet Begins with Record Opening Day Handle

Colonial Downs kicked off its 2021 racing season Monday with a record opening day handle of $2.66 million, spurred by a four-pack of $100,000 Virginia-restricted turf stakes races, and the return of fans to the New Kent track now in its third year under ownership of the Colonial Downs Group.

“We would like to thank the horsemen, our fans on and off site and our team for starting the meet on the right foot,” said John Marshall, Executive VP Operations for the Colonial Downs Group. “What a delight it was to see 2,500 fans at Colonial Downs on a Monday afternoon with such enthusiasm. We appreciate our fans for urging a new all-time Colonial Downs all-source handle opening day record. Looking at today's card, Colonial Downs has arrived at a whole new level.”

The post Colonial Downs Meet Begins with Record Opening Day Handle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Colonial Downs Kicks Off 2021 Season With Record Opening Day Handle

Story lines were aplenty in the nine-race program as Colonial's all-time leading rider Horacio Karamanos reached the winners circle three times including a gate-to-wire victory atop Reiley McDonald's Passion Play in the 1 1/16th miles Bert Allen Stakes. The 5-year-old Hold Me Back gelding crossed two lengths ahead of Forloveofcountry, who had a four-race win streak snapped. The winner, a Mary Eppler trainee who broke his maiden two years ago in New Kent, pushed his bankroll to $197,947. Betting favorite Chess Chief finished fourth.

“I expected someone else to go to the front, but when my horse broke out of the gate and took the lead, I tried to control the pace and at the half mile mark, knew I had plenty of horse left,” said Karamanos. “I'm so happy to come here and win this much. This is like my home. I broke records here and feel so happy when I'm back at Colonial Downs.

Karamanos also scored aboard Cavalier Cupid and My Sweet Story.

Gordon Keys' Grateful Bred's win in the 5 1/2-furlong Meadow Stable Stakes gave Middleburg, Virginia-based trainer Madison Myers her first stakes win. The 5-year-old Great Notion gelding raced three-wide around the turn, took the lead at the top of the stretch and crossed 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Sky's Not Falling. He is now 4-for-5 on the turf with earnings of $159,765.

“It's pretty important and exciting to get my first stakes win,” said Myers. “I can't thank Mr. Keys enough for giving me a chance with a horse like this. We only have a handful of horses, so for him to leave him with me and let us go down this route is very special. He won a Maryland-bred allowance four weeks and this was the goal, so we worked him once in between.”

Myers added that winning in Virginia made it extra special win. “The horse is Maryland-bred and Virginia-Certified, and we want to support both programs. We moved to Virginia 8 1/2 years ago, bought a house and just had a baby, so we're pretty settled here now.”

Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Tasting the Stars earned her third stakes win in the Nellie Mae Cox for Virginia-bred and sired horses with Feargal Lynch in the irons. The John Kimmel trainee was fifth heading into the final turn, launched an inside bid turning for home, and won by 2 1/4 lengths. The 5-year-old Bodemeister mare previously won the Brookmeade at Laurel and Just Jenda Stakes at Monmouth. She is now 5-for-7 with earnings of $204,600.

Big Lick Farm's Puppymonkeybaby prevailed in the M. Tyson Gilpin Stakes, her second straight win, and gave trainer Sara Nagle her second win of the day. The lightly raced 3-year-old Hit it a Bomb filly was sent off at 24-1 and was making just her third lifetime start. Winning jockey Jevian Toledo collected his second stakes win — he also guided Grateful Bred to victory. Betting favorite Street Lute, winner of seven dirt stakes, finished sixth in her first effort on grass.

Colonial Downs continues its summer meet with a nine-race card Tuesday at 1:45 PM. The season continues every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday thru September 1.

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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.”

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