Colonial Downs Reschedules Festival of Racing from Saturday, August 10 to Sunday, August 11
Virginia’s Biggest Day of Horse Racing Moved in Consideration of Weather and Safety
NEW KENT, VA., (August 6, 2024) – Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) announced today that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Saturday, August 10 has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 11. The decision to reschedule the biggest day in Virginia’s horse racing history was carefully made after working closely with weather experts to predict the risk of heavy rain and potential impact caused by Tropical Storm Debby. While most of the extreme weather conditions are expected to clear the area by Saturday, the safety of team members, the community and horsemen traveling to compete was the highest priority in the decision to delay the planned festivities. Additional recovery time for racetrack surfaces will make it possible to run the entire race card which includes seven stakes races highlighted by the Grade 1 Arlington Million, the Grade 2 Beverly D. and Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes.
Gates will open for the Festival of Racing on Sunday, August 11 at 11:30 a.m. with the first post at 1 p.m. Stakes start in Race 6 with the three graded stakes starting at Race 9. General admission and parking are free, and all previously purchased tickets will be honored. Reserved seating can be purchased at rosiesgaming.com/festival-of-racing/.
About Colonial Downs Racetrack and Rosie’s Gaming Emporium
Colonial Downs Racetrack (“Colonial Downs”) and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums (“Rosie’s”) employ over 1,200 team members in the Commonwealth of Virginia, paying over $30 million in annual salaries, wages and benefits. Rosie’s in Dumfries, Emporia, Hampton, New Kent, Richmond and Vinton offer innovative Historical Racing Machines (HRMs) and full card simulcasting. Rosie’s Game Room in Collinsville features a limited selection of some of the best HRM titles. Colonial Downs in New Kent hosts live Thoroughbred racing on two nationally-renowned surfaces – the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America and a 11/4-mile dirt track. www.rosiesgaming.com.
