Track lists 2008 stakes races

Colonial Downs is running 17 stakes races worth a combined $2.52 million during its upcoming 45-day summer thoroughbred meet, the longest in the New Kent County track’s history.

The meet opens on June 9 and runs through Aug. 16. Racing will generally follow a Friday-Tuesday schedule with post time at 12:55 p.m. on weekends and 5 p.m. on weekdays. Purses are expected to average $200,000 per day.

Topping the stakes race list is the $750,000 Virginia Derby on July 19. The 11th running of the 1.25-mile turf test for three-year-olds will be broadcast live from 5-6 p.m. on CBS.

The $600,000 Colonial Turf Cup is June 21 and is the first leg of the Jacobs Investment Grand Slam of Grass. The Virginia Derby is the second leg with races at Arlington Park on Aug. 9 and Santa Anita on Oct. 25 completing the series.

Other stakes races ($60,000 unless otherwise noted) are the John D. March Stakes on June 14; Oakley Stakes on June 15; $200,000 All Along Breeders Cup Stakes on June 21; Buckland Stakes on June 21; D.G. Van Clief Stakes on June 28; Da Hoss Stakes on July 5; Brookmeade Stakes on July 12; $50,000 David L. “Zeke” Ferguson Memorial Steeplechase on July 13; $200,000 Virginia Oaks on July 19; Kitten’s Joy Stakes on July 19; Punch Line Stakes on July 20; Tippett Stakes on July 26; Chenery Stakes on July 26; Chesapeake Stakes on Aug. 2; and Jamestown Stakes on Aug. 2.