Colonial Downs

Racetrack Chaplain Jay Hurley, who is pastor at the Samaria Baptist Church in Providence Forge, Virginia, recently began his seventh season ministering at Colonial Downs. Hurley's Samaria Church congregration recently purchased enough personal items to fill 100 hygiene bags which were distributed to members of the Colonial Downs backstretch community during a July 11 welcome back luncheon hosted by the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Samaria Baptist Church congregation for their generous donation," said VAHBPA Field Director Aidan Turnage-Barney. "Their kindness and...

Sugaree earned a sweet victory for her freshman sire By My Standards (by Goldencents) as she came home a winner at second asking over the Colonial main track on Saturday. A runner-up facing auction-restricted maidens at Churchill Downs June 29, the filly was well-supported as the 70 cents on the dollar favorite here. The juvenile chased the pace from midpack up the backstretch and had some work to do around the far turn. As the leader began to tire down the lane, Sugaree came with a run to the outside...

1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 12:35 p.m. ET. With the third highest return at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale, TAGERMEEN (Into Mischief) was taken home for $1.4-million by Mahmud Mouni after the colt fired a :9 4/5 during the under-tack show. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, the debuting bay is out of Silk Route (Empire Maker), who Mouni acquired for a mere $10,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Sale. Tagermeen's extended female family includes GIII Lecomte Stakes hero Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute) and French Group 1...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Sigh No More in the Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth. Boiling Springs Stakes To Sigh No More Heider Family Stables' Sigh No More ran out a 1 1/2-length winner of Monmouth Park's Boiling Springs Stakes at the end of last month (video). Conditioned by Brendan Walsh, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was making her second US start. Bred by Barronstown Stud out of the...

Resolute Racing owner John Stewart is making good on his promise that he posted on X this past Wednesday to offer a quarter stake in promising 'TDN Rising Star' Verifire (Authentic) when the flash sale goes live on the Inglis Digital USA platform Monday, July 14 at 2 p.m. ET. and will close Friday, July 18 at 2 p.m. ET., according to a press release from the sales company on Friday morning. "For me, it makes a lot of sense to offer this opportunity to a potential partner," said John...

John Stewart of Resolute Racing plans to offer 25% ownership rights in 'TDN Rising Star' Verifire (Authentic) on the platform Inglis Digital USA, according to a tweet on Wednesday. The Resolute head asked in his post, "Have you ever dreamed of having a horse run in your silks in a Grade I at Saratoga?" Stewart went on to say that the winning bidder would be able to have their colors carried by the colt in his next race, which could be the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes at Saratoga...

Eclipse Award-winning jockey Axel Concepcion, who was named top apprentice in 2023, will return to the Mid Atlantic and make his first appearance at Colonial Downs this summer as the 20-year-old has joined the local riding colony for the 2025 summer session. "It feels great to be here," Concepcion said. "I want to take advantage of these opportunities that the trainers are giving me. My goal is to win as many races as I can and to try to win a title." No stranger to the Mid Atlantic circuit, Concepcion...

The stable area at Colonial Downs will open on Monday, June 23, with training scheduled to begin two days later at the New Kent facility. An expanded 41-day schedule is set to commence Wednesday, July 9 and continues through Saturday, Sept. 13. Racing will take place weekly from Wednesday to Saturday plus holiday racing on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. Mike Trombetta and Ben Curtis are set to defend their respective training and riding titles. "Last year was my first year there and I love the place," said Curtis, who...

Baley Hare has been named racing secretary at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming. He succeeds Dan Bork, who will transition to the same role at Colonial Downs in Virginia. Hare, a native of Illinois, grew up in the industry alongside his father, Scott, a former jockey and longtime jockey agent, and his mother, Darcy, a former trainer. Before working in racing offices across Kentucky, Hare was a racing official in Louisiana and Texas. "I'm thankful for the opportunity and appreciate the confidence from our team in naming me to this...

1st-Pimlico, $54,810, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($50,000-$62,500), 5-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.65, ft, 6 1/2 lengths. VERIFIRE (c, 3, Authentic--Ruby Trust {SP, $145,212}, by Smart Strike), named a 'TDN Rising Star' when thrashing Colonial maidens by 6 1/4 lengths on career debut going this distance on the Virginia Derby undercard Mar. 15, easily repeated the dose when pulling clear through the final furlong to take the Black-Eyed Susan Day opener at Pimlico by 6 1/2 lengths. Off at a nickel on the dollar, the $260,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $1-million OBS...

1st-PIM, $54K, OC62K/N1X, 3yo, 6f, 11:30 p.m. ET. In what amounted to a smart debut at Colonial Downs Mar. 15, VERIFIRE (Authentic) was confirmed as a 'TDN Rising Star' after the colt won by 6 1/4 lengths and posted a 92 Beyer. Initially a $260,000 Keeneland September purchase, John Stewart went to a $1-million to acquire the chestnut during the 2024 OBS March Sale. Verifire is out of SP Ruby Trust (Smart Strike), whose own dam is GSW Queen Ofthe Castle (Tale of the Cat). Resolute's second out starter is...

Dave Rodman, announcer at Maryland's racetracks since 1991, has been named recipient of a Special Award of Merit for his contributions and positive impact on the racing industry. Rodman will be presented with the award at the May 15 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course. A native of New Orleans, Rodman worked as a deejay at various radio stations before calling his first race at Jefferson Downs in 1981. He moved to Louisiana Downs in 1985 before becoming the track announcer for the Maryland Jockey Club, calling races at Pimlico,...