NEW KENT — Colonial Downs will close out its 2024 live racing season with the annual $500,000 Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby on Saturday.
The race concludes a packed slate of races that started on Wednesday at the thoroughbred racetrack with a total of 46 live races, including the season’s final three steeplechase races, taking place over the course of four days.
“We are thrilled to cap a tremendous season of live racing with the annual Virginia Derby Day at Colonial Downs,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing at Colonial Downs. “This will be an action-packed four days of racing as we wrap up our 2024 season and begin preparing for our exciting new spring races anchored by the newly elevated Virginia Derby on March 15, 2025.”
The 2024 New Kent County Virginia Derby will be the final iteration run on grass in the summer. Beginning in 2025, the Virginia Derby will serve as a Kentucky Derby qualifier race and be run on dirt during a new spring racing session.
The post times and race count for the final weekend of live racing are as follows:
- Friday, Sept. 6
- First Post 3 p.m.
- 11 races
- Saturday, Sept. 7
- First Post 1 p.m.
- 12 races
- Highlighted by the $500,000 Grade 3 New Kent County Virginia Derby
Saturday’s Virginia Derby Day will feature live bluegrass music from River City Band, a free Secretariat poster for the first 1,000 fans, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and more family-friendly entertainment.
General admission and guest parking at Colonial Downs are free every day. For an elevated guest experience, Colonial Downs offers reserved Grandstand Seats and Grandstand Box Seats, as well as dining options in the Jockey Club restaurant on the third floor and in the 1609 restaurant on the fourth floor.
For more information on tickets, dining, and pricing, visit colonialdowns.com.
