A piece of legislation in Virginia that calls for the legalization of ‘historical’ or ‘instant’ racing was passed by the House of Delegates on Tuesday (February 13). The bill, which will now move to the Senate, could lead to a sale of Colonial Downs.
According to an article by the Fauquier Times, the passage of the bill is a necessary step in a potential deal that would see the ownership of the shuttered raceway change hands.
Colonial Downs, harness racing's only one-turn oval and the location of the first sub-1:50 trotting mile, shut its door in the spring of 2015.
Although specific plans for live harness racing in the state have not been made public, Virginia Equine Association Executive Director Jeb Hannum has been quoted as saying that some of the monies collected via historical racing will be earmarked for harness racing in the state.
"New money coming to the Virginia Equine Association from historical racing will go to support member groups – the Virginia Gold Cup, harness racing, the breeders, flat racing, and other racing industry events and programs such as the local steeplechase races and point-to-points," Hannum was quoted as saying.
Hannum went on to say, "re-opening Colonial Downs will benefit the entire equine industry and all agricultural-related businesses."
(With files from the Fauquier Times)