Virginia Derby Draws Record-Breaking Crowd at Colonial Downs

NEW KENT COUNTY, Virginia Derby this year marks a great milestone in the history of Colonial Downs entries: the Virginia Derby sold out for the first time. People across the state gathered for a full day of racing, betting, and entertainment, thereby making it one of the most highly attended Virginia horse racing news events.

The Virginia Derby has been on the racing calendar for years; this time attendance ramped up as it was a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. This extra significance garnered a larger crowd, many of whom were eager to see the event live.

For ten years or more, Lisa Marston and her son Matt Balmer have been regulars at the races, yet they, like many others, were taken aback by the size of the crowd.

Balmer said people “are coming from all sorts of places, such as over Charlottesville or even from the eastern part of the state like here in New Kent.” And then it ties in with the Kentucky Derby, it’s huge for Virginia horse racing news.”

The grandstands were filled with excited fans while others lined the track to capture the race-day atmosphere. Virginia horse racing news covered the thrilling event. Despite intense consideration, many feel that the Virginia Derby is not only about placing a bet. Rather, it is about experiencing horses, jockeys, and trainers in action.

“It’s hair-raising to see the horses run, the jockeys and the trainers,” said Marston. “You can almost feel the energy when the horses whiz right past you.”

Kenny McPeek, one of the eminent trainers in the industry, trained the Kentucky Derby winner of the previous year and has a Virginia Derby under his belt. He has called the experience, which one would know, unforgettable.

“It’s indescribable,” McPeek said. “I started coming to the races as a kid, maybe five or six years old, and look at me now.”

McPeek views the record turnout as an expression of the rising interest that people have in the sport. He anticipates bigger crowds in the coming months.

“This is just the beginning,” McPeek said. “As the weather warms up, I think we’ll see even bigger crowds.”

With the Virginia Derby gaining status as a Qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, Colonial Downs Entries has transformed into a major key venue for the sport of horse racing. This has led to a greater influx of people, known to have positive economic effects on the locality of New Kent County, where hotels, restaurants, and other businesses welcome increased clientele.

So the racing remains in motion, and so continues the growing attention for Colonial Downs Entries. As more fans come in and the venue demonstrates its merit, the Virginia Derby is going to develop into one of the most anticipated in horse racing.

Be it the competition, betting, or the very experience itself, whatever the fans may be interested in, this year’s event has proven that the Virginia Derby is more in vogue now than ever and creates more opportunities for greater things in the future.