“This unique set of assets expands our geographic footprint and provides additional scale,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “P2E has done an exceptional job developing and managing this collection of assets, which we are very excited to acquire and plan to strategically grow in the years ahead.”

In addition to Colonial Downs, P2E's assets include six facilities hosting 2,700 historical racing machines throughout Virginia. Under state law, CDI will have the opportunity to develop up to five additional historical racing entertainment venues in Virginia with collectively up to approximately 2,300 additional HRMs.

As part of the P2E Transaction, CDI will also acquire the rights to build a large gaming resort (the “Dumfries Project”), with up to 1,800 HRMs in Northern Virginia. It will also acquire the rights to develop Rosie's Gaming Emporium in Emporia, the seventh historical racing entertainment venue under P2E's Colonial Downs license. The Emporia facility, located along I-95 near the North Carolina border, will have 150 HRMs and is expected to open in 2023.

Also included in the deal is the del Lago Resort & Casino in Waterloo, New York and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa.

Under the terms of the, P2E is expected to reach a definitive agreement to sell the real property associated with Hard Rock Sioux City to a third party. CDI will acquire the operating company and lease the Sioux City Property from that third party. Following the closing, CDI will operate Hard Rock Sioux City and lease the Sioux City Property pursuant to lease terms negotiated prior to the closing. In the event P2E is unsuccessful in reaching a definitive agreement with a third party to purchase the Sioux City Property by a certain date, the Sioux City Property will be included in the P2E transaction and the total consideration will increase to $2.75 billion.

The transaction is dependent on usual and customary closing conditions, including the Company obtaining approvals from the Virginia Racing Commission, the New York State Gaming Commission, and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2022.

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The contest at the Prescott Valley, Ariz., track is open to those who sign up on race day and are in attendance for the day's final race. Just before that race, a golf strip will be stretched across the Winner's Circle, with a bucket placed 100 yards away. Ten fans will be randomly selected from that day's entries – nine will get one shot with a pitching wedge to get a golf ball into that bucket for $10,000. Then, one lucky fan will take a shot for $100,000.

The contest will take place at races on June 30, July 28 and August 25.

“Together with our partners at Insurance Office of America, we thought it would be a lot of fun to offer this amazing opportunity to our fans,” said general manager Mike Weiss. “It's always a great day to come out and enjoy an afternoon at the track, but it's a really great day when you can enjoy an afternoon at the track and walk home with $100,000.”

Arizona Downs has partnered with the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to develop the most attractive race program in track history. Live racing is offered every Tuesday and Wednesday through September – 32 dates in all. The track is being managed by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry. Among the properties they own and operate is Colonial Downs, a Virginia thoroughbred track that had been shuttered for six years and now serves as a thriving, revenue-generating entertainment destination.

For more information, please visit www.arizonadowns.com.

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The Prescott Valley track will host a full season of thoroughbred racing in a decade and the first racing of any kind in two years. Opening Day is Tuesday, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the first of nine races set to begin at 2:30 p.m. MST. Every race will be simulcast, providing an opportunity to show off the beauty of Prescott Valley.

Parking and general admission are free, with track admission open to fans of all ages.

“We're excited to welcome fans back to the track and experience racing like we've never had here before,” general manager Mike Weiss said. “The community response to re-opening our doors has been overwhelming and we know it is going to be an unforgettable season at Arizona Downs.”

The track has partnered with the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association to develop the most attractive race program in track history. Live racing happens every Tuesday and Wednesday through September – 32 dates in all.

Families and horse lovers from across the Quad Cities will find a new management team, renovated facility and the biggest purses in track history drawing nearly 700 horses from Arizona and across the country, including New Mexico, California and Minnesota, among other states.

Arizona Downs is being managed this season by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry. Among the properties they own and operate is Colonial Downs, a Virginia thoroughbred track that had been shuttered for six years and now serves as a thriving, revenue-generating entertainment destination.

For more information, please visit www.arizonadowns.com.

The post Arizona Downs Opens 32-Day Summer Racing Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Vercruysse hosts the nationally syndicated “Post Time Radio” show and previously served as the on-air host and race analyst at Santa Anita Park in California. The University of Arizona graduate will be joined as the track's paddock host by current U of A student and Arizona Downs intern Giselle Lugo.

“I am such a big fan of Arizona Downs and what this track means for the future of Arizona horse racing, I was ecstatic when I was asked to do this,” Vercruysse said. “I'm very happy and excited to be part of the return of racing here.”

Vercruysse, who began his horse racing career as an intern with the Stronach Group and rose to the executive ranks, said he was also drawn to the position thanks to the role of track general manager Mike Weiss, a longtime supporter of the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. That relationship resulted in Lugo landing an internship with the track. An Arizona native, she is an animal science and law major who is on the Dean's List and previously served in an internship at Rillito Park in Tucson.

“The work Mike does with the school is such a positive influence and this is a way to give back,” he said. “It's important for these students to get hands-on experience and learn the industry as they find what it is they want to do.”

Verycruysse will provide analysis of races every Tuesday and Wednesday for the race season which lasts through September. His radio show can be heard locally at 8 a.m. Saturdays on Fox Sports 910.

Arizona Downs is being managed this season by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), a leader in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry.

The post Vercruysse, Lugo To Host Paddock Show During Arizona Downs Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“Arizona horse racing has faced numerous challenges in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional strain on the industry,” said Tom Auther, managing member of JACOR, the owner of Arizona Downs. “We are pleased to partner with P2E who has the knowledge and expertise to help revitalize Arizona horse racing.”

P2E is the owner and operator of the Colonial Downs Group, consisting of the Colonial Downs Racetrack and five Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout Virginia powered by historic horse racing technology.

Arizona Downs and the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have reached agreement on a live racing contract and the terms of the 2021 race meet. The 2021 racing program offers the most attractive race meet in Arizona Downs history. The meet consists of 32 race days at a daily average of $70,000 per day beginning June 1 through Sept. 15.  Live racing occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first race post scheduled for 2:30PM (MST)/ 4:30PM (EST).

“P2E developed a proven formula in Virginia that resurrected the horse racing in the state after a six-year hiatus,” said Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA. “Our association did our due-diligence and received high praise from our colleagues in Virginia about P2E. We are looking forward to the summer meet.”

P2E is a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry with multiple gaming and entertainment destinations across the county and more developments planned in the near future.  The company focuses on introducing a modern approach to horse racing and implementing these successful concepts across the country.

“The cornerstone of our success is based on service, quality, community and the people who make it work,” said Aaron Gomes, COO of P2E.  “We apply this to all we do, and we are pleased to share with Arizona Downs and Arizona horsemen guidance that has made our Virginia operations successful.”

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The decision to conduct the meeting without spectators is at the request of the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) and the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (V-HBPA). . The change to “spectator free” racing is out of an abundance of caution and enables Colonial Downs to focus extra care towards key operating areas, such as the jockeys' quarters, paddock supervision, racing office and the stabling area.

“We accept the position of our industry partners that adjusting to spectator-free racing is ultimately best for protecting the health and safety of our racing participants,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs.  “Our team is prepared to deliver a quality racing product while ensuring a safely run meet, which is our chief objective.”

Colonial Downs joins the group of major racetracks in the region racing without spectators including Saratoga, Laurel Park and Penn National. Spectators will not be permitted on the outdoor apron or the grandstand seats, and the 4th floor restaurant (1609) and suites will remain closed.

“Our horsemen fully support the decision to conduct racing without fans at Colonial this summer, otherwise the public health risk is too great,” said Frank Petramalo, Jr., Executive Director of V-HBPA. “There is a bright spot — all our races will be televised live on the TVG network, and people can wager on TVG or on other on-line sites.”

Fans are encouraged to watch Colonial Downs live on TVG channel 718 Xfinity, 399 Dish or 602 Direct TV, and wager by setting up an account on www.tvg.com.

As part of the protocols for jockeys participating in the upcoming meeting, Colonial Downs has established the following procedures:

• Jockeys must provide a negative Covid-19 test before arriving on Colonial Downs grounds for the first time, and the test must have been taken since last riding elsewhere.
• Jockeys who leave Colonial Downs to ride elsewhere, or enter another racetracks jockey's quarters, will not be permitted to return to Colonial Downs unless they self-quarantine for 14 days and obtain and provide a negative Covid-19 test.

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