Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association

Colonial Downs Set To Open Sept. 12

September 5, 2008--by Kyle Fitzgerald, for Colonial Downs

Trotters and pacers have started to converge in New Kent as preparations for Colonial Downs’ 11th annual Standardbred meet intensify for the 34-day stand’s September 12 opening.

The backstretch should be well-stocked with 548 stalls already assigned. Wayne Long has the largest with 31 stalls, followed by Roland Dunavant with 21. Manley Brown, Jr., last year’s leading trainer, should be back in the mix for top trainer honors with 16 stalls.

Also back is David Ingraham, the leading driver here in 2007. Other top drivers expected to return to the one-turn mile include 2006 leader Corey Braden, 2007 runner-up Chris Page and perennial top-5 force Frank Milby.

The first qualifying races will be held on Monday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. The opening day card will also be drawn on Monday.

Opening weekend at the New Kent oval will be action packed with three straight days of harness racing in conjunction with the New Kent County Fair and HorsePower Classic Auto & Motorcycle Show.

Friday’s festivities start with the opening of the New Kent County Fair at 5:00 p.m. Racing begins at 6:00 p.m. and the night is capped with a special fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m.

The Fair opens at 12:00 p.m. Saturday with a parade at 1:00 p.m., 5K at 2:30 p.m. and the HorsePower Classic Auto & Motorcycle show running all afternoon. Harness racing begins at 6:00 p.m. Saturday and fireworks will cap everything off at 9:15 p.m.

Sunday’s “Extreme Day” features a unique 10-race card comprised of seven harness races, two steeplechases and one flat thoroughbred race. Racing starts at 1:00 p.m. The New Kent County Fair opens its final day at 12:00 noon Sunday and concludes at 5:00 p.m.

Colonial’s meet will continue through November 5, generally on a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday schedule. Meet highlights include the $100,000 Patriot Invitational Trot on Saturday, October 11, and the $350,000 Virginia Harness Day of Champions on Saturday, November 1.

Post time is 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays.

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Colonial Downs Set To Open Sept. 12