#colonial downs

By Michael Phillips | MDBayNews — Maryland on the Map Maryland is quietly trying to spend another $85 million. According to five sources with knowledge of the state’s plans, cited by Fox Baltimore, the Moore administration is taking steps to secure the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes brand — the same brand that Churchill Downs Incorporated purchased from 1/ST Racing while…

Gov. Terry McAuliffe sharply criticized the owner of the shuttered Colonial Downs racetrack in New Kent County in a radio appearance Thursday and suggested Northern Virginia as an alternate location for horse racing.

"The owner of the facility out there, I'll be honest with you, I don't like the way he dealt with the commonwealth of Virginia," McAuliffe said when asked about the industry's future on WRVA's monthly "Ask the Governor" radio show. "He basically handed in his license, walked away and then tried to strong-arm us."

The governor's comments underscore the gloomy prospects for the revival of horse racing at the track outside Richmond, which closed in 2014 amid a yearslong dispute over what races would be held.

The track's owner, Colorado-based Jacobs Entertainment, wanted fewer races with higher-quality participants and bigger purses, while the state's traditional horsemen's group, the Virginia Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, wanted more frequent races to better support the industry.

Colonial Downs race track in New Kent County will be repositioned for other uses, a representative of the owner said after a decision this morning by the Virginia Racing Commission.

The commission rejected the track's proposal to run four days of racing next year and bring the Virginia Derby and the Colonial Turf Cup races back to the track with a horsemen's group created and backed by Colonial Downs.

Stan Guidroz, regional vice president of Colo.-based Jacobs Entertainment, which owns Colonial Downs, said he was extremely disappointed by the decision.

"We will work to reposition the property, since we have exhausted all discussions and opportunities to keep the track open," Guidroz said.

Live horse racing may be over in Virginia, but betting on the ponies isn’t.

Betting on races in other places through Advanced Deposit Wagering accounts will continue, including Colonial Downs’ EZ Horseplay system. The license to operate EZ Horseplay is not affected by the track owner’s decision to close Colonial Downs after a long-running dispute with horsemen.

Kiosks are located in more than 100 restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. Three of the track’s satellite betting parlors - Chesapeake, Hampton and Richmond - will remain open for the kiosk wagering on thoroughbred and harness races.

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Va. Racing Commission willing to scrub 2014 season

NEW KENT, Va.: Va. Racing Commission willing to scrub 2014 season

kentucky.com By BROCK VERGAKIS

NEW KENT, Va. — The Virginia Racing Commission on Monday signaled its willingness to scrub the 2014 racing season at Colonial Downs if it can quickly get a contract in place ensure the 2015 seasons still happens.

Colonial Downsand the state’s horsemen have been unable to reach agreement on the 2014…

Va. Racing Commission to discuss dispute

NEW KENT, Va.: Va. Racing Commission to discuss dispute

kentucky.com By Kentucky.com

NEW KENT, Va. — The Virginia Racing Commission is set to discuss a dispute that has sharply curtailed off-track betting and threatened to cancel the 2014 racing season at Colonial Downs.

The special meeting is set for Monday morning at the track in New Kent County.

Colonial Downswants fewer races with higher…

Colonial Downs Closing. Horseman Get A Raw Deal.

Looks like Colonial Downs will no longer be able to offer their circus style meet complete with ostrich racing, camel racing, mascot racing, man against horse racing and fireworks. Oh, did I forget horse racing? Colonial Downs certainly did as the horses are the last thing they want at their overbuilt facility. CD wants to host only…