Live horseracing returned to Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia on August 8 for the first time since the racetrack closed in 2014. Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, which includes 600 historic horse racing machines, opened three months ago at the track.
New owners the Colonial Downs Group, a subsidiary of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, said the track will offer live thoroughbred horseracing on the regular dirt course on Thursday, Friday and Saturday through September 7, including a daytime race on Labor Day and the Virginia Derby on August 31. The first Saturday of the racing schedule, August 10, featured four stakes races on the turf course, each with a $100,000 purse.
The old turf was burned off the course and new turf has been laid as part of the renovations. In addition, the stable areas, race offices, clubhouse and suites have been upgraded.
Daily purses will average a minimum of $500,000 throughout the 15-day race schedule; the Virginia Derby will feature a $250,000 stakes purse.
Revenue from 600 historical racing machines at Rosie’s Gaming Emporium will supplement operations, the owners said. The venue also offers four bars and a restaurant, plus off-track betting on races around the U.S.
The Colonial Downs Group also operates Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Vinton, Richmond and Hampton, Virginia. In June, gamblers wagered more than $88 million at the four locations. From May to June, historical racing machine revenue rose 10 percent at the Colonial Downs site.
