Colonial Downs' anniversary is in September, hardly convenient for a
thoroughbred track that now runs in June and July. So Sunday's
celebration marking 15 years of racing at the New Kent facility is a
furlong or two early.
But that's OK. Little about Colonial
Downs' history has been tidy. Like the sport itself, the track has
endured lean times while clinging to a niche audience that appreciates
horses' majesty, admires jockeys' courage and, yes, likes to box an
exacta or three.
"It's been a long, interesting journey, there's no doubt about it," said
Ian Stewart, Colonial Downs' president since its 1997 debut. "I think
we're pretty firmly established as part of the Virginia sports scene.
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