by Darrell Wood

New Kent, VA — The Virginia Racing Commission awarded 2013 racing dates to Colonial Downs yesterday (Nov. 7) at its monthly meeting.

The New Kent track will host a 25 day summer thoroughbred season that will run from June 8 thru July 13 and a 24 day harness meet that will run from September 18 thru October 27.

The thoroughbred campaign represents a seven day decrease from 2012 but that is part of an overall strategy to improve the caliber of overnight races and increase the field size.

Days and times of the fall harness meet will remain unchanged for 2013. Racing will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM. Dates for the New Kent County Fair and the “Day of Champions”, the fall season’s two major events, has yet to be determined.