Monthly Archives: May 2021

David Ross-Owned Extravagant Kid Tunes Up At Keeneland For Upcoming Royal Ascot Trip

The following appeared in The Paulick Report May 23. Virginia businessman David Ross, who races under the stable name DARRS, Inc., is President of the Virginia HBPA and is the winningest owner in the history of Colonial Downs. 

DARRS Inc.’s veteran Extravagant Kid, who last won the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1) Sponsored by Azizi Developments during the March 27 Dubai World Cup card, is preparing to compete at another prestigious international racing event: Royal Ascot in England.… Continue reading

Virginia’s On Line Wagering Handle On Horse Racing Remains Robust Through April

A total of $42,350,552 in bets was placed by Virginia residents through April via four on line betting licensed providers — TVG, Xpressbet, Twinspires and NYRABets — versus $31,527,629 last year.

Medina Spirit (inside) in deep stretch en route to… Continue reading

Virginia Well Represented In Preakness Under Card

The action starts at 10:30 AM and Virginia is well represented on the under card. 2019 Virginia Derby winner English Bee will compete in the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (Gr. 2) in Race 12… Continue reading

May 9 Middleburg Point-to-Point At Glenwood Park Completes Spring Season Slate

Virginia’s Point-to-Point season came to a close May 9  when the last of seven spring meets was contested at Middleburg’s Glenwood Park. A total of 62 horses competed that day in a mix of hurdle, timber and flat races. The season kicked off March 13 at the Airlie Race Course in Warrenton. The Virginia Equine Alliance again sponsored a Starter Rewards incentive program, which provided every Virginia trained or owned horse that competed a $200 per start bonus. In… Continue reading

Former Virginia Derby Winner English Channel’s Stature As A Leading Sire Grows On Racetrack, If Not In Auction Ring

The following appeared in The Paulick Report May 13 and was written by Frank Mitchell. English Channel, winner of $5.3 million in purse money, started his illustrious stakes career with wins in the 2005 Colonial Turf Cup and Grade 3 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.   

Is there a less-appreciated upper-tier sire in the country than English Channel?

Channel Cat’s victory in the Grade 1 Man o’ War Stakes was a reminder of the excellence that the stallion imparts… Continue reading

2021 Colonial Downs Race Meeting To Open July 19 With Minimum $500,000 In Average Daily Purses

Meet Features a $2.7 MILLION STAKES PROGRAM

21-Day Season Features 25 Stakes Races Highlighted by New Kent County G3 Virginia Derby on Aug. 31

A total of 25 stakes races worth more than $2.7 million will be offered at the upcoming seven-week Thoroughbred racing season at Colonial Downs — from July 19 through Sept. 1 — featuring a minimum $500,000 in average daily purses, the Grade 3 $250,000 New Kent County Virginia Derby on Aug. 31, enhanced horsemen incentives, and… Continue reading

Former Suffolk Downs On-Air Handicapper Jessica Paquette to Handle Same Duties at Colonial Downs

When Colonial Downs begins its third season of thoroughbred racing under the ownership of the Colonial Downs Group on July 19, fans will see a new face on camera who provides selections and insight into each upcoming race from the paddock area.

Jessica Paquette, long time handicapper at Suffolk Downs and most recently Sam Houston, will make her debut in New Kent replacing Merv Huber, who is unable to travel to Colonial Downs this season but will stay on as… Continue reading