Virginia tidewater countryside

Colonial Downs

ThoroughbredDirtTurf
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Colonial Downs is a thoroughbred racetrack in New Kent, Virginia. It opened in 1997, making it 29 years old in 2026. It races on a 1 1/4-mile dirt oval, 9-furlong outer (Secretariat) turf course and 7 1/2-furlong inner turf course.

Its signature races are the Arlington Million (G1), Beverly D. Stakes (G2), Secretariat Stakes (G2) and Old Dominion Derby (G3).

Colonial Downs became the home of the Arlington Million, a race created at Arlington Park in 1981, after Arlington closed.

Track facts

Location
New Kent, Virginia
Racing
Thoroughbred
Surfaces
Dirt, Turf
Track
1 1/4-mile dirt oval, 9-furlong outer (Secretariat) turf course and 7 1/2-furlong inner turf course
Opened
1997
Racing season
Late June–Labor Day
Operator
Churchill Downs Inc.

Signature races at Colonial Downs

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs late June–Labor Day. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows Virginia tidewater countryside in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Colonial Downs and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Colonial Downs

Hotels near Colonial DownsBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Colonial DownsTours & things to do in New KentSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Colonial Downs10

  1. 1HarnessRosecroft Raceway — Maryland Sire Stakes (Fort Washington, Maryland)90 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredLaurel Park — Barbara Fritchie Stakes (Laurel, Maryland)112 mi
  3. 3HarnessOcean Downs — Maryland Sire Stakes (Berlin, Maryland)117 mi
  4. 4HarnessShenandoah Downs — Harness racing (Woodstock, Virginia)126 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredPimlico Race Course — Preakness Stakes (Baltimore, Maryland)130 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredHollywood Casino at Charles Town Races — Charles Town Classic (Charles Town, West Virginia)133 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredTimonium Race Track — Thoroughbred racing (Timonium, Maryland)137 mi
  8. 8HarnessBally's Dover — Harness racing (Dover, Delaware)142 mi
  9. 9ThoroughbredDelaware Park — Delaware Handicap (Stanton, Delaware)169 mi
  10. 10HarnessHarrah's Philadelphia — Harness racing (Chester, Pennsylvania)186 mi

Questions about Colonial Downs

Where is Colonial Downs?

Colonial Downs is in New Kent, Virginia.

What kind of racing is at Colonial Downs?

Colonial Downs hosts thoroughbred racing. Live racing runs late June–Labor Day.

When did Colonial Downs open?

Colonial Downs opened in 1997.

What is the biggest race at Colonial Downs?

The signature race at Colonial Downs is the Arlington Million (G1).

What other racetracks are near Colonial Downs?

The closest is Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland, about 90 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.