by Darrell Wood, publicity director, Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Colonial Downs’ 13th harness season opener will feature ten races on Friday, Sept. 17, six of which are first leg divisions from several different late closer pacing series.

The New Kent, Horace Martin Memorial and U Gotta Win One Now multi-leg series all begin on the track’s first night. The New Kent, for non-winners of two races, has a pair of nine-horse fields and a ten-horse grouping. The Martin, which has a single eight-horse field, and the U Gotta Win One Now, which has a nine- and eight-horse division set to go, will all be contested at a unique three-quarter mile distance. Hi I’m Johnny Kash, which swept the latter series in 2009, is back to put his title on the line this fall. Chris Page will direct the 8-year-old gelding for trainer Roland Dunavant in the series’ first division.

Opening night’s festivities will coincide with the New Kent County Fair’s kickoff at the Downs. The fair returns after a one-year absence and will continue through Saturday evening. Gates open at 4 p.m. and the first race Friday goes to post at 5 p.m. Following the last race, the movie “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” will be shown on the infield jumbotron.

The County Fair re-opens on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will be highlighted by a a special “Mixed Breed” card of horse racing beginning at 1 p.m. The event will begin with a pair of steeplechase races, followed by a Thoroughbred race, the finish off with ten consecutive harness races. The 13 races are all pari-mutuel, and will continue through 6:45 p.m.

A special Opening Weekend/County Fair admission/parking policy will be in effect both Friday and Saturday. Pricing is $5 per carload, and that includes parking and general admission for everyone in the vehicle.

The harness racing season continues on Sunday at 1 p.m. with Colonial’s popular $16 Family ’n Friends 4-Pack special back in the promotional mix. For $16, a group of four family members or friends can get four admissions, programs, tip sheets, hot dogs, soft drinks and a souvenir gift any Sunday through October 31. A “4-Pack” coupon can be downloaded at www.colonialdowns.com.

The 2010 fall meet continues through November 6 with racing scheduled Saturdays at 5 p.m., and Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. The 4th floor Turf Club Dining Room will be open on weekends. For more information, call 804.966.7223 or visit www.colonialdowns.com.