NEW KENT — Less than 100 days remain until the return of live racing to Colonial Downs for the 2024 season, a 27-day live racing season to be held over nine weeks from Thursday, July 11 through Saturday, Sept. 7.
The New Kent racetrack, touted as the widest grass racing surface in North America, will hold three race days per week, Thursday through Saturday.
“The 2023 race season at Colonial Downs was an incredible success by every metric, and we’re looking forward to taking things to a new level in 2024,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs. “With North America’s widest grass track, family-friendly activities, and great promotions, we promise all our guests an exciting day of racing and an unforgettable experience when they come visit us at Colonial Downs.”
Highlights will include the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing on Saturday, Aug. 10 featuring the Grade 1 Arlington Million and the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes.
The season will conclude on Saturday, Sept. 7 with the Grade 3 stakes Virginia Derby.
Tickets are now on sale for the entire 2024 racing season, and visitors will enjoy a series of promotions to ensure an unforgettable day at the races, according to the venue, including:
Thirsty Thursdays — Starting on July 11, the summer-long promotion will feature drink specials along with an opportunity to purchase a souvenir cup to receive discounted domestic draft beer during live racing every Thursday. Post time on Thursdays is 1:30 p.m.
Party at the Downs every Friday — With a late-afternoon post time of 4:30, the party starts even earlier with happy hour drink specials from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and live music in the Trackside Tent.
Saturdays — Each Saturday of the race season will feature a different event or promotion along with family-fun activities in the Trackside Tent starting at 1:30 p.m. Families can enjoy pony rides, petting zoos, and face painting, while all guests can enjoy the following promotions and giveaways:
- July 13: Colonial Downs Calendar Giveaway
- July 20: Richmond Flying Squirrels Day
- July 27: NASCAR Day
- Aug. 3: Taste of New Kent County and Hat Giveaway
- Aug. 10: Colonial Downs Festival of Racing
- Aug. 17: New Kent County Fair
- August 24: Wiener Dog Races — To register your Wiener Dog, visit: rosiesgaming.com/wiener-dog-racing
- Aug. 31: Commonwealth Champions Day
- Sept. 7: Virginia Derby Day/Secretariat Poster Giveaway/Closing Day
General admission is free every day. Colonial Downs also 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 Colonial Downs on the web at colonialdowns.com.
