From a Colonial Downs release
Jacobs Entertainment today announced the selection of Cushman & Wakefield|Thalhimer to sell the properties formerly used as off-track betting facilities (OTBs) in conjunction with the Colonial Downs track in New Kent County, Virginia.
“This truly marks the end of an era for Virginia horse racing,” said Stan Guidroz, Regional Vice President of Jacobs Entertainment, owner of Colonial Downs. “This has been a disappointing chapter in our long, difficult effort to bring and sustain national caliber, high-end horse racing in Virginia. But the Virginia Racing Commission would not support our efforts and spoke forcefully against them, so we must now take this unfortunate step. We are confident we have tried everything in our power to create a model that would succeed, but having been unsuccessful, we must move forward. While some worked against our efforts to bring high-end racing to our world-class turf track in New Kent, many were faithful supporters. Particularly, we are grateful to New Kent County, including its General Assembly delegation, which has been a strong partner over the years. No business could ask for a more supportive group of leaders.”
On November 17, 2015, the Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) voted to deny Colonial Downs’ applications for licenses that would have included the re-opening of the track in New Kent County under a limited license, as well as the OTBs in Richmond and Hampton Roads for the 2016 season. It was Colonial Downs’ last attempt to win approval by the VRC.
Colonial Downs has been closed since November 1, 2014 after the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (VHBPA) elected not to renew or extend its contract with Colonial Downs and failed to reach an agreement on a racing schedule at the track. Without this agreement Colonial Downs was legally forced by the Virginia Racing Commission to shut its doors for the first time in 17 years and closed seven OTBs throughout the state. The track ultimately surrendered its unlimited license in 2014. At the time, the future of Colonial Downs was unknown; however, the license applications considered by the VRC in November were intended to bring thoroughbred horse racing back to the track. The focus of the meet was to be a national-caliber Virginia Derby Festival.
Really sad So horsemen groups you hve nothing now. I’m still trying to understand how did it benefit Virginia horse racing to deny Jacobs any business. Seems to me anything in Virginia is better than nothing, at least the breeders would’ve got something with OTBs. However I’m just a fan who have to travel hours to enjoy my favorite sport. I don’t know all to the business side like you brilliant mastermind business people.
I really wish that I could have been able to attend a race meet at the track in New Kent County. I was excited when the voters in Virginia approved pari mutual wagering and horse racing in the state. As the facilities were built for the OTB parlors I was looking for one that would be near me. I did manage to travel to Richmond a few times and enjoyed the experience of being able to wager on horse races across the country. There were a few handicapping tournaments sponsored by the track for on-line fans. My greatest experience was being able to travel only one hour to get to the OTB facility in Martinsville. Now racing as it was is no more and those visits are over for wagering. I will just believe that the Virginia Horsemen’s group will prevail in re-starting racing and OTBs again for Virginia fans and surrounding states fans. There are plenty of us who want to wager on races near home, when our own state is a non-wagering state. But there is one thing that I will not regret leaving the state of Virginia and that is Jeff Jacobs of Jacobs Entertainment. My last comment is “let the door knob hit you where the dog should have bit you” when the Virginia Legislature allowed you to be the one to sponsor and hold horse racing in Virginia.
If things could be like the enthusiasts of horseracing wanted; the off track betting parlors would be operating on simulcast raced and the track would be racing occasionally and operating slots year round. Use the Delaware game plan.