Colonial Downs

Colonial Downs is Virginia’s only pari-mutuel horse racetrack, and it’s located in New Kent County at Exit 214 off I-64. 

Over 80 percent of the summer thoroughbred races are held over the Secretariat Turf Course, which at 180 feet wide, is the widest grass surface of any track in North America. The 1¼ mile dirt track is the country’s second largest, next to Belmont’s. The large dirt track enables harness horses to pace or trot a one mile distance while encountering just one turn, the only track anywhere to offer this unique configuration.

The Virginia Derby is Colonial’s annual showcase event. Annually, top three year old turf horses, along with the sport’s top jockeys and trainers compete 1¼ miles in the Virginia Derby. 

Colonial Downs resumed live racing for the 2019 season, offering 15 dates from August 8 to September 7.