by Darrell Wood, publicity director, Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Colonial Downs will open its 14th harness racing season next Saturday (September 17) and continue a seven week campaign through November 5.

The track will conduct racing strictly in the afternoon this year, on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. In the past, Colonial had run a 5 p.m. Saturday program, but chose to race earlier in the day to take advantage of the nice fall weather.

Although the final stall list is not complete, Director of Racing Craig Andow anticipates that close to 550 horses will be stabled in the New Kent barn area to compete this fall.

Andow has put together an impressive slate of late closer racing series for both pacers and trotters. Most of the multi-leg events feature two preliminary legs and a final. Seven of the 11 late closers feature odd distance races as well, from a three-quarter-mile dash to 1-1/4 mile finales. Two of the series have been named in honor of deceased horsemen — Hal Belote, and Todd and Doug Parker. Nominations close on September 10 for the first five late closers. A listing is available at www.colonialdowns.com.

The New Kent barn area is now open and the track opened for training Tuesday morning as well.

Highlights of the meet include a mixed breed card on Sunday (September 18) and the annual Virginia Harness “Day of Champions” on November 5.

Opening weekend’s events will be held in conjunction with the New Kent County Fair, and a mixed breed card consisting of a Thoroughbred race, two steeplechase events and ten harness races will highlight the Fair on Sunday (September 18).

The annual $300,000 (est.) “Day of Champions” will again coincide with the Breeders’ Cup simulcast, and feature top Virginia-bred freshman and sophomore pacers and trotters of both sexes that will compete in eight divisional championships that afternoon.

General admission to Colonial Downs is $2, and kids 12 and under are free. The track’s fourth floor Turf Club Dining Room and Sky Suites will be open on weekend afternoons for a la carte dining and group outings. Turf Club admission is $5 and advance reservations are recommended by calling 804.966.7223, ext. 1032.