Day Ten: Preparation for July 4

Tuesday brought on the usual slow night for an evening at the races.
I had to do an advance on the $50,000 Brookmeade Stakes to be held that Saturday, so I went ahead and finished that early. I contacted Jeff, the track photographer, to get a photo of the favorite winning her last race and sent the press release to the media.
Darrell also needed me to do a few different versions of an ad to be put in the program for the first ever trackside buffet in addition to a full-page ad on the 'Chill on Derby Hill' party for the Virginia Derby. They had only sold four tickets to the party and needed to get word out about it. I also needed to make up an entry form for the track to hand out on Friday and Saturday to those wearing Braves apparel so they could have a chance to win a trip to Georgia to see the new Braves play.
There was a lot of spare time after that, so I sat around with the Equibase guys and watched a lot of the races. Darrell then came up with a folder of the Handicapping Classic entrants who had entered through the mail and had me sort through them and send the list of entrants to Ryan, our webmaster, to update online. He also asked me to have a stab at the online newsletter, which is sent out weekly to 7,000+ people online. The edited version of what I did is below.
My day ended after answering a few calls and sending out entries/results to the newspapers.

COLONIAL DOWNS NEWSLETTER
July 2, 2009Volume 3, Issue 25
“Racing to the Stars & Stripes” at Colonial Downs on Friday July 3rd & Saturday July 4th
Colonial Downs presents an evening of horse racing, live music, and fireworks this holiday weekend with special 6:00 PM post times! A card of 8 horse races takes place on Friday, and 9 on Saturday, immediately followed by a trackside concert and a fireworks display launched from between the infield ponds!
Reserve your umbrella table for 4 right next to the dirt track in our new “Blast Zone” area for best viewing. Included in the $40 “Blast Zone” package is an umbrella table with 4 seats, 4 hot dog vouchers, 4 soft drink vouchers, and 4 “hard hats.” You can order online at colonialdowns.com, at Guest Services in person, or by calling 804-966-7223, ext. 1032.
We are also featuring a Tribute to the Richmond Braves! We invite all Braves fans to Colonial Downs for the evening of fireworks, and anyone wearing Braves apparel will be given an entry form to win a trip to Gwinnett, Georgia to see the new AAA Braves team play -- trip courtesy of Air Tran. We’ll do a special 7th race stretch song both nights, and on Friday, Richmond favorite Susan Greenbaum will sing “Take me out to the Racetrack”!
There’s plenty of simulcast action this weekend too---the track will open at3 PM Friday and at 12 Noon on Saturday for all the great stakes available from around the country.


$10 “All You Can Eat” Trackside Feast!
Visit Colonial Downs on Saturday, July 11, enjoy a ten-race card and feast on our first ever trackside buffet in a giant party tent. For only $10, you can indulge in all the hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, chips, cookies, iced tea & lemonade you can eat and drink all afternoon. The featured race is the $50,000 Punch Line Stakes, with wagering available on major stakes via simulcast from around the country at Arlington, Belmont, Calder and Hollywood Park.


Countdown to the Virginia Derby – Two Weeks!
The biggest day of racing on Virginia’s annual calendar is almost here! Saturday, July 18 brings the top three year old turf horses to Colonial Downs for the 12th annual $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II).
Compete in the Virginia Lottery’s Fancy Hat Contest and be one of 21 ladies or gentlemen to win $100 in Corvette Cash Tickets! Categories include Best Homemade, Most Outrageous, the Southern Belle, the True Couture, the Derby Male, Most Eco-Friendly, and Best Virginia Themed.
Don’t forget to order your tickets for the two great Virginia Derby parties, on sale now!

Chill on Derby Hill
“Bring your own party” this year to the track’s first turn area. A $20 advance sale ticket allows you to bring your own adult beverages, cooler, picnic food, chairs and grill to this unique Derby Day setting. Party with the Richmond Ski Club from 11 AM- 7 PM at the “Chill on Derby Hill”! The ticket price goes up to $30 the day of. Kids 12 and under are free.
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032

Party Zone
An all inclusive ticket to the season’s biggest day, where you will celebrate with food, drinks, and plenty of fun. The Party Zone ticket includes Derby Day admission, a race program, tipsheet, deluxe barbecue lunch, 3 beer/win/soft drink tickets, live music on stage all afternoon with NRG Krysys, a Colonial Downs Cooler Bag and a Come Back Admission Pass. The ticket price goes up to $35 day of; kids 12 and under are $15
Buy Online at colonialdowns.com or call 804-966-7223, ext. 1032



7.5 hours