VRC PLEASED ... WHICH EXPLAINS RUBBER-STAMP MEETING

 Oh, for the good, old days when every meeting of the Virginia Racing Commission was guaranteed to have plenty of fireworks, thanks to a cast of characters who didn’t mind going off script and expressing opinions that were sure to bring instant rebuttal.

Wednesday, at the VRC’s fall meeting, we were reminded of that time 

not all that long ago … when VRC chairman Robin Williams didn’t 

like Jeff Jacobs, absentee owner of Colonial Downs – and the feeling 

was mutual … when Frank Petramalo, representing the horsemen, 

would engage Jacobs’ lawyer Jim Weinberg with fiery exchanges that 

would rock the place … when Tad Berman could be counted on to 

make the public comment portion lively, to say the least … etc., etc., 

etc.

By comparison the latest gathering of the state’s equine intelligensa 

was a snooze fest. In fact, during one … shall we say, very long albeit 

interesting presentation, a commissioner nodded off.

It was Rubber Stamp City, something Berman, now serving in a semi-

official capacity as liaison with the General Assembly, noted with 

typical disdain.

“Did you notice … that every vote was unanimous?” he said. “Not 

once did a commissioner object to something … not one nay from 

anyone.”

For sure the commission seemed pleased by what Churchill Downs, 

Inc., accomplished in its first meet as new owner of Colonial Downs. 

What wasn’t to like?

Average daily purses were upwards of $650,000, with daily handle at 

$2.7 million – both track records.

So, there were some glitches, but nothing major or that couldn’t be 

overcome. The horsemen had expressed concern that a return to 

weekend racing (Thursday through Saturday), thereby going head-to-

head with Saratoga, would hurt the handle after having little to no 

competition running primarily early in the week and seeing bettor 

response continue to grow.

Churchill countered by asking for a chance to try something different 

at the New Kent County track and, by operating on Saturdays, 

hopefully increase on-site attendance. That appeared to work, too, 

although no one could say how many people came for the races 

because they couldn’t be separated from those who turned up only to 

play the slots at Rosies, a year-round gambling emporium.

That could have signaled a spirited exchange between Churchill 

representatives and the commission Wednesday … except that 

apparently was done earlier … to the satisfaction of the VRC’s five 

members. All we heard for public record was that Churchill would do 

better on that front in the future.

Later, Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations for Colonial 

Downs Group, was asked about the recent defeat of a planned casino 

in Richmond. For the second time, voters rejected the bid. Churchill 

had been one of the primary investors, and there had been some reason 

to believe the “Home of the Kentucky Derby” came to Virginia 

primarily to build its wagering portfolio via the statewide Rosies 

franchises as well as higher-end casinos.

So, tell us, Frank, how will the overwhelming casino setback here 

effect your commitment to Colonial Downs? “It won’t,” Hopf said.

Besides, it wouldn’t be outrageous to suggest Churchill and partners 

haven’t given up trying to get into the big-money casino business 

hereabouts. Petersburg is available, and Hopf wouldn’t say aye or nay 

about the possibility of a third vote here.

Meanwhile, Churchill announced a 27-day meet over nine weeks for 

Colonial in 2024. For the most part, it will mirror the 2023 meet, with 

racing the same three days a week … opening July 11 and closing 

Sept. 7 with the Gr. 3 Virginia Derby. The Gr. 1 Arlington Million will 

be held Aug. 10.

This will be the second year of a two-year contract for the Million here 

… and Hopf said plans call for the biggie to remain for the foreseeable 

future. You might recall the move from now-defunct Arlington Park 

by way of Churchill Downs (for one year) was not popular nationally 

and got the OK only after what was described as the closest possible 

vote by the Thoroughbred grading committee.

Finally … a report paid for by the commission, in response to a 

General Assembly recommendation to remove the Historical Horse 

Racing betting machines at Rosies from VRC jurisdiction, proved 

predictable. To wit, the overwhelming conclusion was it would be a 

mistake … that anything to do with horse racing in Virginia should 

remain under VRC control.

Until next time ...