10 ways to Enjoy the Virginia Derby

1. Enjoy the party of the summer with an all-inclusive Party Zone ticket! For only $25 (advance purchase) it includes admission, program, barbecue lunch three beer/wine tix, live music with Redline and E3, a Colonial Downs tote/sport bag & more. Purchase at www.colonialdowns.com.
2. BYOF (Bring your own food) to the new Picnic on the Turn. For only $10, you can bring your own lunch, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and chairs into the track’s all new first turn picnic area. Yeah, you’ll be a bit off center, but the price is right. There will be betting tents, a disc jockey and food/beer concessions out there as well.
3. Go cheap. General admission is only $5. Cheer your favorites on trackside. See the horses saddle in the paddock before the race.
4. Get a Reserved Grandstand Seat for only $10. This might be the day’s best value. Outdoors, but under cover, overlooking the stretch.
5. Start your day early. Take part in the Virginia Derby 5K Fun Run at 9:30 AM. It finishes on the track at the finish line, includes a tote bag & FREE Picnic on the Turn ticket. Register at www.kalerunning.com
6. Bring out the fancy hats. This is Virginia’s Derby. Celebrate like it’s the first Saturday in May, even though it’s the third Saturday in July.
7. Enjoy a Grand Slam, official drink of the Virginia Derby. Summer’s answer to the spring mint julep.
8. Avoid traffic and take Route 60. Tired of Saturday beach traffic on I-64? Take I-64 into Providence Forge. Turn left on Rt. 155 and within 4 miles, you’ll turn into Colonial Downs stress-free.
9. Bring cash. You can’t wager with credit or debit cards. Yeah, there’s ATMs at Colonial Downs, but come prepared. You’ll have 10 live races to wager including the Derby at 5:44 PM
10. Just can’t make it to the track on July 19^th? For the second straight year, the Virginia Derby will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports from 5-6 PM!

Derby Day Timeline –

8:00 AM – Virginia Derby 5K Fun Run Packet Pickup & Day-of registration in front of grandstand.

9:30 AM - Virginia Derby 5K begins!

11:00 AM – Party Zone, Picnic on the Turn & dining rooms all open

12:55 PM – First of ten thoroughbred horse races begins

5:00 PM – CBS national broadcast from Colonial Downs begins!

5:06 PM - $200,000 Virginia Oaks (Gr. III)

5:45 PM - $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II)

6:20 PM – last horse race of the afternoon