Topped by a quartet of graded races, Colonial Downs unveiled its 2024 stakes program of 27 races worth $5.7 million for the 27-day season which runs from July 11-Sept. 7.
The Colonial Downs Festival of Racing, slated for Aug. 10, is highlighted by the $1 million Arlington Million (G1T) at 1 1/4 miles, the $500,000 Beverly D. (G2T) at 1 3/16 miles and the $500,000 Secretariat Stakes (G2T) at 1 3/16 miles, the traditional weekend for the renowned trio. All three races will be run on Colonial's acclaimed Secretariat Turf Course.
The Beverly D. again has been selected as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) to be held at Del Mar Nov. 2.
Festival Day is being expanded for 2024 to include four additional stakes races: the $100,000 Petramalo Mile, a one-mile dirt race for 3-year-olds, and its sister race, the $100,000 Penny Chenery at seven furlongs; the $150,000 Van Clief for 3-year-olds & up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf and its distaff companion event, the $150,000 Andy Guest.
The $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3T), Colonial's longtime signature event, will be contested on closing day, Sept. 7. The 1 1/8-mile grass race headlines a card with $1.3 million in stakes purses including five other turf stakes: the $250,000 Virginia Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles; the $150,000 Da Hoss Stakes for older horses at 5 1/2 furlongs; the $150,000 Colonial Cup a 1 1/2-mile marathon for 3-year-olds & up; the $125,000 Rosie's Stakes for 2-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs; and the $125,000 Kitten's Joy Stakes for 2-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Opening weekend action includes three new turf stakes: the $125,000 Million Prep at 1 1/8 miles; $125,000 Beverly D. Prep over 1 1/16 miles; and the $125,000 Boston at one mile, which will serve as a prep for the Secretariat.
The following Saturday, July 20, a quartet of turf races for Virginia-bred or -sired older runners are on the docket: the $125,000 Brookmeade for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, the $125,000 Edward P. Evans at one mile, and the $125,000 Punch Line and $125,000 Tyson Gilpin/Glenn Petty both at 5 1/2 furlongs with the latter of the pair restricted to fillies and mares.
A pair of 2-year-old races for Virginia-restricted runners—the $150,000 Hickory Tree and its sister race the $150,000 Keswick—headline the Aug. 3 program. Both races have been lengthened to 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt.
Commonwealth Champions Day is scheduled for Aug. 31 and is highlighted by a quintet of turf races saluting Virginia runners: the $125,000 Jamestown is for Virginia-bred or -sired 2-year-olds going 5 1/2 furlongs while the remaining four events are for Virginia-restricted horses—the $150,000 Meadow Stable for older horses at 5 1/2 furlongs and its female companion race the $150,000 Camptown; and the $150,000 Bert Allen and its filly and mare counterpart, the $150,000 Nellie Fox, both at 1 1/16 miles.
Additionally, there will be two $100,000 stakes races for fillies and mares presented by the National Steeplechase Association, the Randolph D. Rouse Aug. 8 and the Life's Illusion Sept. 5.
Condition books and stall applications are available online at www.colonialdowns.com under the horsemen's tab. Stall applications are due Tuesday, May 21.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
