Colonial again mostly turf racing

Colonial Downs expects to run up to 80 percent of its races on the turf again this year, including 13 of the track's 14 stakes, a track official said Friday.

Last year, the Virginia track ran 81 percent of its races on the one-mile turf course, according to Darrell Wood, the track's publicity director. This year, the track will try to run more races on the 1 1/4-mile dirt course, but the mix of horses will ultimately determine the ratio, Wood said.

"The plans last year were for a 60-40 mix, but the horsemen that came down all brought turf horses," Wood said. "The hope is that we can use the dirt course a little more, but we'll have to play it as it goes along."

The $200,000 Virginia Derby, the track's richest stakes, will be run on July 13 this year, at 1 1/4 miles on the turf. On the undercard that day will be the Grade 3, $150,000 All Along Breeders' Cup Handicap, at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

The Colonial meet is scheduled to open on June 21 and run through July 23, for 26 live race days, Friday through Tuesday.