Colonial ups two purses

Colonial Downs in Virginia has increased the Virginia Derby purse from $500,000 to $750,000, and has raised the purse of a new turf stakes, the Colonial Turf Cup, to $500,000, according to the track.

The purse increases were approved by the Virginia Racing Commission at a meeting Wednesday. The commission also approved a 40-day meet for Colonial Downs, from June 24 to Aug. 16, on a Friday-through-Tuesday schedule.

The Colonial Turf Cup was added to the track's stakes schedule earlier this year, but its purse was initially set at $250,000.