NEW KENT — Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent will conduct a controlled burn of its Secretariat Turf Course on Monday, March 11.
Weather permitting, the burn, performed in conjunction with the New Kent Fire Department and Virginia Department of Forestry, will take place from 4 p.m. to approximately 6 p.m., according to the track.
According to Colonial Downs, the burn of the turf course helps prepare and nurture the grass racing surface for the nine-week, 27-day summer thoroughbred season scheduled to begin July 11 and continue through Sept. 7.
The burn takes dead “cover” off the turf in a rapid manner and allows it to grow back more plush, green, and safe within weeks — if not days — according to Colonial Downs, adding the controlled burn drives more nutrients back into the soil and grass than standard cutting or trimming.
Media and local residents are advised that they may see smoke emanating from the track for a few hours as part of the controlled burn, which is not open to the public.
Colonial Downs hosts live thoroughbred racing on two nationally renowned surfaces — the Secretariat Turf Course, the widest turf course in North America, and a 1 1/4-mile dirt track.
