Colonial Downs refunds first race bets after wagering approval confusion

The first spring meet at Colonial Downs got off to an inauspicious start when the track elected to refund wagers on its first race due to confusion over approvals for wagering.

Wagering was restored for the second race of the eight-race card, according to Dave Zenner, the track’s director of racing and simulcast operations, who provided a statement to Daily Racing Form in response to an inquiry about wagering on the first race.

“We encountered a unique situation regarding the required consents for all wagering activity,” the statement said. “Following swift collaboration among all the parties involved, we ensured all required consents are in place.”

The track would not comment beyond the statement.

Waqas Ahmed, the executive director of the Virginia Racing Commission, said in an interview that he was aware that there was some confusion surrounding the consents required to send out the track’s simulcast signal, and he attributed it to the preparations surrounding the first spring meet at the track. He said that the Virginia commission had provided its required approvals for simulcasting two days ago.

Simulcast contracts need to be approved by the state’s horsemen and the racing commission. Officials for the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association did not respond to a phone call.

Colonial, which is owned by Churchill Downs Inc., is hosting three consecutive days of live racing to support Saturday’s $500,000 Virginia Derby, a race that used to be run in the fall. The Virginia Derby will provide qualifying points for Churchill’s Kentucky Derby for the first time this year.

Colonial carded eight races for the Thursday card but had trouble filling the races. A total of 50 horses entered the eight races, but 14 were scratched prior to the card running.

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