NEW KENT — Colonial Down’s nine-week racing season starts Thursday, with organizers ready for what they hope will be the best season yet.
And what’s more — this week’s activities will include a wedding between two ponies from Dream Catchers, a therapeutic riding center in Toano.
Last year saw a record-setting season for the New Kent County racetrack in terms of number of races, race days, visitors, horses in competition, live bets and off-track bets, according to Colonial Downs. This year’s season runs from Thursday through Sept. 7, with live races every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The season will feature daily average purses of nearly $700,000. The stakes program consists of 27 races worth $5.7 million.
About 700 horses are expected to stable at the track, which features the 180-foot-wide Secretariat Turf Course, the widest grass racing course in North America. The course is named for the famed thoroughbred who swept the Triple Crown Series in 1973. Secretariat, considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time, was born in 1970 in Doswell and trained in Virginia. A 1.25-mile dirt track — which circles the turf course — is the country’s second longest.
Twelve races are scheduled for opening day on Thursday, with the first three set as steeplechase events. Steeplechase horse racing will be a regular feature at Colonial Downs nearly every Thursday, according to the racetrack.
Then on Saturday, two ponies will get “married” as part of Dream Catcher’s efforts to increase community awareness of its mission and the need for financial support. The charitable organization has been providing equine-assisted therapy to people living with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth for more than 30 years.
In a 12:30 p.m. ceremony, Lark and Tater will tie the knot. The ponies, which joined Dream Catchers as therapeutic horses in 2008, got “engaged” on Valentine’s Day. Lark, short for Meadowlark’s Song, is a 26-year-old Welsh pony/Quarter Horse cross mare, and Tater, or Tate R. McTavish, is a 27-year-old Welsh pony gelding.
“Whether they become new donors, volunteers, or participants, all are invited to share the love of Lark, Tater, and Dream Catchers, where horse power changes lives,” the organization’s website says.
The wedding will take place in the winner’s circle at 12:30 before the races begin at 1:30 p.m., with a reception will be at the end of the race day in the VIP tent. For more about the ponies and the event, including how to donate to their registry to fund everything from hay, horse shoes and hoof picks, visit dreamcatchers.org/events/lark_and_tater_wedding.
Other highlights of the race season include the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing on Aug. 10, featuring the Grade 1 Arlington Million and the Grade 2 $500,000 Secretariat Stakes and $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes. Churchill Downs brought the three famous races to Colonial Downs last year after the operator of the Kentucky Derby acquired the Virginia racetrack.
Wiener dog racing will be a highlight on Aug. 24, while the Virginia Derby — Colonial Downs’ longtime signature event — will be raced on closing day on Sept. 7.
Tickets and information are available at colonialdowns.com. General admission is free. Each Saturday will feature a different event or promotion along with family-fun activities including pony rides and petting zoos starting at 1:30 p.m.
Races will be also be featured on FanDuel TV, which will be on-site for coverage of the Festival of Racing.
Kim O’Brien Root, kimberly.root@virginiamedia.com
