Is Thoroughbred racing in Virginia on track this year?

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Thoroughbred racing will return to Virginia this year after a one-year hiatus, horsemen say. But will it occur at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, the only track that until last year had the state’s only unlimited license to run races?

“That is up in the air,” said Frank Petramalo Jr., executive director of the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association, referring to Colonial Downs.

Racing will take place at other venues and hopefully at Colonial Downs, he said. Other possibilities are Montpelier in Orange County, Middleburg Training Center and Oak Ridge farm in Nelson County.

“There will be racing in Virginia,” Petramalo said. “We are not sitting on our duffs, waiting for Colonial Downs.”

The next race is the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase May 2 at Great Meadows in The Plains.

Colonial Downs, under new leadership but with the same out-of-state owner, approached the horsemen in late February about the possibility of leasing the racetrack, the satellite wagering facilities and EZ Horseplay, an online wagering account owned by Colonial Downs, Petramalo said.

A decision is expected by April 1, he said.

J. Sargeant “Sarge” Reynolds Jr., chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission, said Colonial Downs would like to lease the track and the off-track betting facilities to the horsemen’s group for a reasonable fee.

“I believe they are negotiating but have not reached a deal,” Reynolds said, adding that the commission is not part of the negotiations.

Jeffrey Jacobs, chairman of the company that owns the track, plans on having a short high-end meet this fall if he can work out the purse details, Reynolds said.

Ian Stewart, former president of Colonial Downs, is semiretired and serving as a senior adviser to Jacobs. He referred questions to Stan Guidroz, interim president of Colonial Downs and vice president of southern operations for Golden, Colo.-based Jacobs Entertainment Inc., owner of the track.

Guidroz could not be reached Thursday and Friday for comment.

Colonial Downs surrendered its operating license last fall and shut down the track after failing to reach a deal with the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association.

The two sides argued over the length of the racing schedule, and the ongoing rift led to no Thoroughbred racing last summer for the first time in the track’s 17-year history. The track wanted fewer race days than the horsemen.

“It’s a shame to keep that place closed if the horsemen think they can make a go of it,” said Bernie Hettel, executive secretary of the racing commission. “The horsemen need to run races. They need to have a cash flow.”

The horsemen formed Virginia Equine Alliance, a nonprofit group with the hopes of designating it to receive gambling money and promote racing in Virginia. The alliance is made up of Petramalo’s group, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and other horse groups.

The alliance does not need formal approval from the racing commission unless it wants a limited license to race, Reynolds said.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!