Excited by a record bet of over $6.5 million on the New Kent County Virginia Derby Day® last week, Colony Downs break all betting signs in this racing season, the fourth under the management of Colonial Downs Group and ownership of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment.
The success of Colonial Downs creates hundreds of jobs and has a direct impact on Virginia’s agriculture and tourism industries.
Total bets for a 26-day live race (one race day lost due to weather conditions) was $74,940.840 with a daily average of $2,882,340, up more than 29% from the daily average. 2021 date is $2,231,765 (in that season’s 21-day session). This race encounter marks the all-time high bets in Colonial Downs history.
“The race in Virginia is stronger than ever,” said John Marshall, Executive Vice President of Operations for Colonial Downs Group. “It’s been a pleasure to see Colonial Downs grow into one of the nation’s elite destinations for thoroughbred races. We congratulate all of those who have worked hard to put Virginia racing in a spot. so admirable.”
Colonial Downs paid $15,918,538 in wallet for the season, attracting the best horses, trainers and riders in the industry to the Commonwealth. The average daily wallet of $612,000 set a Virginia record. A total of 1,382 individual horses representing 321 coaches made a total of 2,179 starts for the season.
“The 2022 Colonial Downs meeting was a huge success at all levels thanks to the support of so many. We are grateful to all the riders, patrons, fans and parties. relevant in the industry for participating in the great summer of racing in Virginia,” said Jill Byrne, Vice President of Colonial Downs Racing Operations. “Agriculture and tourism in Virginia are both supported by our joint efforts.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin also noted the huge positive effects that Virginia’s return to world-class horse racing has had on agriculture and tourism in the Commonwealth, told Horse Racing Nation during the launch. current Virginia Derby, “Colonial is hugely important to Virginia. It’s agriculture, it’s jobs, it’s tourism.”
About Colonial Downs Group: Colonial Downs Group is a proud Virginia business operator employing more than 1,000 Commonwealth team members, paying over $30 million in salaries, wages and benefits annual. Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums® in Richmond, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton and Dumfries offers innovative historic horse racing (HHR) gaming technology and full-card emulation. Colonial Downs Group also runs Rosie’s Games Room in Collinsville, which has a limited selection of some of their best HHR titles. Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County hosts live thoroughbred races on two nationally renowned surfaces – Secretarial room courseThe widest lawn in North America at 180 feet wide and on a dirt track 11/4 mile long, is second only to the world famous Belmont Park in length.
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