by Kyle Fitzgerald, for Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Colonial Downs will kick-off its 32-day fall harness meet on Saturday, September 15, with a 10-race card in conjunction with the opening day of the New Kent County Fair, a 5K run and a fireworks show.

The opening day card proved popular at the entry box with 82 horses entered, including three 10-horse races.

The richest race is race eight, a conditioned trot offering a $7,500 purse. I’m A Cool Breeze is the 3-1 morning line favorite for driver and co-owner Scott Woogen. I’m A Cool Breeze has seven wins over the last two seasons at Colonial and took his lifetime mark of 1:54.3 here last fall.

The New Kent County Fair opens at 12:00 noon on Saturday and will feature a petting zoo, indoor/outdoor exhibits, a dunking booth, pony rides, barrel train ride, classic car show, giant inflatables, clowns, tasty festival food and hourly door prizes.

Admission to both the fair and the races is just $2 and kids 12 and under are free.

In addition to the fair festivities, Saturday will feature a trackside Beer Garden from 2:00-8:00 p.m. with live music from Timberwolf, a 5K run and a giant fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

The Virginia Racing Commission County Fair 5K Run will be held on the track itself at 8:15 p.m. Saturday night. Registration begins at 7:00 p.m. and costs $10. The first 100 runners to sign-up will get a free T-shirt. There will also be a free one-mile fun run for kids 12 and under on the racetrack.

Live racing will continue at Colonial Downs through November 6 on a Saturday through Tuesday schedule. Post time is 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

For more racing information call (804) 966-7223. For more fair information call (804) 966-9645.