Average purses a healthy $346K; Va. Derby Sept. 1

It has been about 11 months since Colonial Downs hosted a horse race – no time at all, really, compared to the last break between race meetings.

Colonial, a rural Virginia gem situated in New Kent between Richmond and Chesapeake Bay, went dark after its 2013 season and didn’t light up again until 2019. Sure, the impetus toward reopening came from the lure of a casino, which became possible after enabling legislation passed in 2018, but Colonial, with an awesome grass course and a comfortable facility tucked into a forest, is giving plenty back to racing in the form of excellent purses.

Last year’s 15-day season paid out nearly $500,000 a day. This year’s 18-day meet, starting Monday, will offer average daily purses of about $346,000, a strong number during the era of coronavirus. The opening card, comprised of 11 races, pays $316,000 in purses and drew 108 entrants. The stable area houses more horses than it did a year ago, racing secretary Allison De Luca said, and trainers like Todd Pletcher, who didn’t run at the 2019 meet, will be shipping to race.

The turf course, the widest in North America, drives the Colonial racing product. Grass races during 2019 attracted nearly nine starters per race, and Colonial writes them for bottom-level claimers up to stakes horses.

“This turf course – you’ve just never seen a turf course like this,” De Luca said.

While Rosie’s Casino, housed in the grandstand, is operating by appointment and at half capacity, no spectators other than owners who reserve a third-floor table will be permitted at Colonial. Owners aren’t allowed outside, and De Luca said Colonial protocols focus on limiting congregation of humans anywhere within the racing dynamic.

The jockey colony numbers about 20, and like most other venues right now, Colonial wants to restrict riders’ movement between tracks. Any Colonial rider who leaves for another venue must quarantine for 14 days before they can even be considered for a return to the Colonial colony.

Daniel Centeno was set up to challenge 2019 leading rider Trevor McCarthy for 2020 honors but was injured Thursday at Laurel and won’t ride at Colonial. With a vast number of riders in the region already attached to a venue, there are a number of less familiar names riding at Colonial.

Trainers Mike Stidham and Jamie Ness tied for leading trainer last year with 10 wins apiece. Stidham said he has 20 Colonial stalls and will ship regularly from his base at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.

“We’ll run more this year than last year,” he said.

Stidham has two first-time starters Monday – Palio in race 4, Princess Grace in race 7 – both of whom are live, he said.

Monday cards also include steeplechase races run as nonwagering events before the start of the regular program. First post is 5:30 p.m. Eastern, with racing conducted Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The meet’s most important day of racing, featuring the Virginia Derby and five other stakes, is scheduled for Sept. 1 this year. Four Wheel Drive won the Rosie’s Stakes on the 2019 Virginia Derby card on the way to success in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

The wagering menu includes an all-turf pick five covering the last five races on each card.