Colonial Downs Closing Nov.1st?

[Flysofree]

Owner Jacobs gave up his license today. Will there be a buyer or is all racing in Virginia finished forever?

[VeryOldMan]

As someone who lived in the Tidewater area as a horse racing fan before Colonial was built - that location seemed like a huge mistake at the time it was built and I stand by that assessment. Middle of nowhere for a declining sport. I know the argument about proximity to I-64, in between Richmond and Hampton Roads, etc. - but it never made much sense given location, competition, downward trend re horse racing, etc. A few years from now, I suspect no one will miss it.

[Flysofree]

I totally agree with you on the location.... Everyone is aware that horse racing is in decline nationwide. However, I just read an article that said the State's Legislature's failure to approve casino type gaming was a factor in it's closing.. No I don't have a link, but if you Google it, there is a lot of reading about the matter.

[horses4courses]

A few years from now, I suspect no one will miss it.

The same thing can be said about quite
a number of small tracks around the country.

Apart from those directly involved, whose livelihoods are at stake,
plus a minimal number of local fans, there aren't many others affected.

Nobody likes seeing job losses,
but there are too many poorly performing tracks.
Eventually, more will have to call it a day.
It's been talked about for years,
and some places just seem to keep going,
and not because they offer a decent product.

As far as random race bettors go, who may have played
Colonial Downs on occasion, I say find another track to play.
There really is no shortage of them.

[Flysofree]

The same thing can be said about quite
a number of small tracks around the country.

Apart from those directly involved, whose livelihoods are at stake,
plus a minimal number of local fans, there aren't many others affected.

Nobody likes seeing job losses,
but there are too many poorly performing tracks.
Eventually, more will have to call it a day.
It's been talked about for years,
and some places just seem to keep going,
and not because they offer a decent product.

As far as random race bettors go, who may have played
Colonial Downs on occasion, I say find another track to play.
There really is no shortage of them.


Yes, but how will it's closing affect at home players on the internet? The tracks website already states that as of Oct 31st, EZ bets will no longer accept wagers... How soon for TwinSpires and others?

[VeryOldMan]

The same thing can be said about quite
a number of small tracks around the country.

Apart from those directly involved, whose livelihoods are at stake,
plus a minimal number of local fans, there aren't many others affected.

Nobody likes seeing job losses,
but there are too many poorly performing tracks.
Eventually, more will have to call it a day.
It's been talked about for years,
and some places just seem to keep going,
and not because they offer a decent product.

As far as random race bettors go, who may have played
Colonial Downs on occasion, I say find another track to play.
There really is no shortage of them.
Waxing poetic!
Can't disagree with you.
Decline awaits soon.

[horses4courses]

Yes, but how will it's closing affect at home players on the internet? The tracks website already states that as of Oct 31st, EZ bets will no longer accept wagers... How soon for TwinSpires and others?

I'm sorry if racing at Colonial has a direct implication on
ADW in the state of Virginia. The peculiarities of laws
governing wagering in different states is staggering.

Hopefully, good sense will prevail,
and you can continue to wager.

[JustRalph]

One down, thirty to go......

[Redboard]

Will there be a buyer ...

Not if the buyer can't put a casino there.

.... is all racing in Virginia finished forever?

Too bad. It's in a beautiful area and I always wanted to visit that track.

[thespaah]

Not if the buyer can't put a casino there.



Too bad. It's in a beautiful area and I always wanted to visit that track.
I always thought highly of Colonial. They put on a nice meet. The facility is clean, my interaction with staff and fans, pleasant.
Yes the track is in a rather remote location and not near a major population center.
However, I think had the VA Horsemen who seemed hell bent on their "my way or the highway" stance, racing would continue there.
I'd say that the only issue confronting CNL is the time of year the track is open for live racing. June and July in the VA Tidewater can be particularly brutal with temps in the mid 90's combined with high humidity.
I hope the track is purchased and reopened.
I am also concerned that the VA OTB's may be permanently closed.
The casino thing? Forget it. VA is a diverse state with the non urban areas being populated by very conservative church going people. Not conducive to a gambling state

[ctownraces@bp]

Yes, but how will it's closing affect at home players on the internet? The tracks website already states that as of Oct 31st, EZ bets will no longer accept wagers... How soon for TwinSpires and others?


EZ Horseplay will continue to take wagers its under a different contract.

[Robert Goren]

One down, thirty to go......I always knew you were an optimist. :rolleyes: The sport needs at least 30 more to close. There will be crying after everyone. Like here, there will be usual, if we could have just gotten a casino race could have been saved. Nothing could be further from the truth.

[Tom]

Racing can't stand on its own.
Sad.

But look at from the casino pint of view - why should they be saddled with carrying a losing proposition?

[lamboguy]

Racing can't stand on its own.
Sad.

But look at from the casino pint of view - why should they be saddled with carrying a losing proposition?slot machines look like they are pretty over saturated these days, there will come a day when the casino will have a tough time keeping their doors open. even though the racing industry is a complete mess right now, the drawing card for the casino is a robot slot machine, a race track in the horse. which is the better drawing card?

[Robert Goren]

slot machines look like they are pretty over saturated these days, there will come a day when the casino will have a tough time keeping their doors open. even though the racing industry is a complete mess right now, the drawing card for the casino is a robot slot machine, a race track in the horse. which is the better drawing card?The robot slot.

[Ocala Mike]

Not surprised. Knew its days were numbered when I learned that horses were coming out of races bloodied and injured after striking wild geese on the track during races, and management couldn't care less about it.

[Tom]

"Jockey change on #6, Golden Goose. Sully Sullenberger will ride."

[cj]

As someone who lived in the Tidewater area as a horse racing fan before Colonial was built - that location seemed like a huge mistake at the time it was built and I stand by that assessment. Middle of nowhere for a declining sport. I know the argument about proximity to I-64, in between Richmond and Hampton Roads, etc. - but it never made much sense given location, competition, downward trend re horse racing, etc. A few years from now, I suspect no one will miss it.

I don't think anybody misses it now.

[NJ Stinks]

I will miss Colonial Downs. I enjoyed playing the turf cards there. Field size was good and the turf course was about as fair as you could possibly hope for.

But I must admit that I'm another who never went. Making that commitment to drive, lodging, etc. and then face the heat & humidity was not going to happen.

[Flysofree]

I think the younger generation of which I'm not a part of, much prefer instant action. Horse racing is slow between races and they prefer action from table games over racing. If the younger generation doesn't support it, old farts like me don't head out to crowds much anymore.. I prefer to play online, but some politicians will have their hand out in some way or the church do gooders will do all they can not to allow it.. .I'm referring to online wagering for horses. I wouldn't walk across the street to pull a slot machine lever.... But we live in an instant world.

[GaryG]

I will miss my only OTB within hundreds of miles. Kentucky closed Pineville and Corbin a few years ago.

[deathandgravity]

I will miss Colonial Downs. I enjoyed playing the turf cards there. Field size was good and the turf course was about as fair as you could possibly hope for.


I agree... loved playing the turf cards @ Colonial Downs. Have family in the Virginia Beach area & always suspiciously visited when CD was running.... one of my favorite tracks in the US to visit.

Much rather see a dump like Turf Paradise, PARX or ect close then a nice boutique turf course like CD. (IMHO) :ThmbDown:

[RXB]

I always liked Colonial although more so in its earlier years, before so many of the races became 5f/5.5f and the handle shrunk.

[VeryOldMan]

I don't think anybody misses it now.
Testify.

[bello]

Colonial thorobred meet was first class in every way Been there many times. Live music, micro-brew events, great venue...actually one of my top three in the country.

I was there live for harness racing Wednesday. Official attendance count was 27. I AM NOT KIDDING. But it was raining which may have kept the attendance down.

[Flysofree]

Colonial thorobred meet was first class in every way Been there many times. Live music, micro-brew events, great venue...actually one of my top three in the country.

I was there live for harness racing Wednesday. Official attendance count was 27. I AM NOT KIDDING. But it was raining which may have kept the attendance down.

I'm hopeful that it won't become a flea market.

[burnsy]

slot machines look like they are pretty over saturated these days, there will come a day when the casino will have a tough time keeping their doors open. even though the racing industry is a complete mess right now, the drawing card for the casino is a robot slot machine, a race track in the horse. which is the better drawing card?

I totally agree, just like the tracks, certain ones will continue to do ok, others will be hurting eventually. What's the end game here? A robot slot for every man, woman and child? One of the biggest problems our society has is one is great, more is better. Then we live by a market system, people know it, then cry the blues when the weak get weeded out. Its laughable, because that's how it works. Does anyone on here conceive of more tracks opening? Or more closing? Let's be real here. Where's my bailout? :lol: It's a joke. Since when was any business supposed to be bailed out? That mentality is a problem too.

Unfortunately, I agree with Goren too, right now the robot slot is a bigger draw. They kiss your ass just to get you there, women and old people love that shit. Just ask my girlfriend or any of the women that you know that gamble. Walk through there and look at the clientele.

[dirty moose]

I always knew you were an optimist. :rolleyes: The sport needs at least 30 more to close. There will be crying after everyone. Like here, there will be usual, if we could have just gotten a casino race could have been saved. Nothing could be further from the truth.

So what exactly would be your dream scenario?

edit: also may I ask, why do you play the game?

[Flysofree]

There is a Petition on Colonial Downs Website, that you can sign electronically to help keep Colonial Downs ..... Currently 1700 plus signatures...looking for 3300 more. Won't hurt if you are interested.

[proximity]

i really enjoyed the maryland circuit back when it ran basically the same days and times that nyra did and the creation of colonial took away this consistency and i gradually lost interest in maryland racing.

will virginia residents still be able to bet if it goes away??

[Flysofree]

i really enjoyed the maryland circuit back when it ran basically the same days and times that nyra did and the creation of colonial took away this consistency and i gradually lost interest in maryland racing.

will virginia residents still be able to bet if it goes away??
No one seems to know for sure-- last week's newspaper article said it was being studied by state attorneys.

[bello]

My understanding i is the EZ Horseplay web option is under a different licence and will remain available to Virginia residents.

[Flysofree]

That was my understanding originally and I hope that it holds up.. The article called it " an arm of Colonial Downs".

[EMD4ME]

Thank you. I signed it. I believe that any track that closes is bad for horse racing.

[EMD4ME]

There is a Petition on Colonial Downs Website, that you can sign electronically to help keep Colonial Downs ..... Currently 1700 plus signatures...looking for 3300 more. Won't hurt if you are interested.

I forgot to quote who I was responding to....sorry

[Flysofree]

Thanks... Really am hoping for a miracle. I love the sport.

[proximity]

No one seems to know for sure-- last week's newspaper article said it was being studied by state attorneys.

personally, i wouldn't mind seeing it close, but not if it's going stop an entire state from being able to bet.

good luck to you.

[Robert Goren]

So what exactly would be your dream scenario?

edit: also may I ask, why do you play the game?1)Tracks running with 12 horse fields with a 6% takeout and running drug free on the dirt. You did say dream scenario.
2)The challenge. It is a puzzle to be solved. At one time it was the money, but now the money is secondary as long as I at least break even. I am old and sick, the dream of making a large amount of money in retirement betting the ponies is gone.