NEW KENT — The stables are filling. The turf is being tested. And yes, the corgis are coming.
Colonial Downs Racetrack opens its 2026 summer meet on June 25 with its most ambitious schedule in nearly three decades — 11 weeks of live thoroughbred racing, Thursdays through Sundays, stretching to Labor Day.
More than 100 horses have already arrived at the New Kent track, with roughly 900 expected to stable there through the season. Among them are horses from nationally recognized barns, including trainer Whit Beckman, whose colt Ocelli competed in this spring’s Triple Crown races.
Beckman said he was impressed enough by Colonial Downs to bring a full string of horses for the summer.
“The track offers great purse money and just a great racing environment,” he said.
Opening Saturday on June 27 is the season’s first novelty: the track’s inaugural corgi races, billed as a friendly competition among Central Virginia’s fastest and fluffiest. Thoroughbred racing begins at 12:30 p.m., with gates opening at 11 a.m.
Admission is free on most race days. Three premium events — Opening Saturday, the Aug. 1 Festival of Racing and Aug. 15 Wiener Dog Racing — carry a $5 ticket, with children 5 and under admitted free.
More information is available at ColonialDowns.com.
