Beem takes the mic at Colonial Downs; stakes schedule announced
Colonial Downs officials announced Friday that veteran race caller Jason Beem will be the official track announcer for the 2019 meet running from Aug. 8 to Sept. 7.
Beem, who began calling races in 2006, is currently the race caller at Monmouth Park through late June. Raised in Washington state, he was the race caller at Portland Meadows from 2006 to 2014, and was the full-time race caller at River Downs (now Belterra) from 2006-2008; as well as calling the races at Louisiana Downs in 2015, along with stints at Gulfstream Park West and Emerald Downs.
Beem will also take part in race analysis, handicapping as well as social media posts for Colonial Downs.
"I couldn't be more excited to join the Colonial Downs team for the rebirth of racing in Virginia,” said Beem. “I have many fond memories watching and playing the great turf races from Colonial Downs for several years, so the opportunity to get to call those races is something I'm really looking forward to experiencing. I'm also very excited about the team they are putting together and look forward to helping make this first season back a successful one."
Colonial Downs also announced Merv Huber as the track’s racing analyst and paddock host for this year’s meet. Huber graduated with honors from the renowned University of Louisville Equine Program and began working full time at Churchill Downs. He co-hosted the Churchill Downs Today show and filled in as paddock host and handicapper while also working in the marketing department. Huber knew he wanted to pursue a career in horse racing after watching Silver Charm win the 1997 Kentucky Derby.
“Jason balances a thoroughly engaging style of precision race calling and a flair of fun and excitement to his craft,” said Jill Byrne, Colonial Downs' vice president of racing operations. “I’ve worked with Merv over the years, and his passion and enthusiasm for horse racing and handicapping draws in everyone around him. Jason and Merv make a great team to provide our fans and patrons with expertise handicapping insight and race information on track, through our simulcast signal, and on all social media platforms.”
Through the investment of the Colonial Downs Group, Colonial Downs has been reestablished for the 2019 season. Located between Richmond and Williamsburg, Colonial Downs will offer daily purses averaging a minimum of $500,000, which will comprise an approximate $7.5 million in total purses allocated for the meeting, highlighted by the $250,000 Virginia Derby for 3-year-olds on August 31.
Racing will be conducted on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the meeting except for the final week when racing will be held on Labor Day and again on Friday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 7. Post time for all race days is 5 p.m. ET, except for the Sept. 2 card, which will begin with a 1 p.m. first post.
The first Saturday of the meet, Aug. 10, will feature four stakes races on the turf course for Virginia-bred horses, with each race carrying a $100,000 purse. Those races are: the M. Tyson Gilpin for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs; the Meadow Stable, also at 5 ½ furlongs; the Nellie Mae Cox for fillies and mares at one mile and the Edward P. Evans at one mile on the turf.
The following Saturday, there will be two open stakes races slated: the $100,000 Chesapeake, to be run at six furlongs on the dirt and the $75,000 Da Hoss, at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf.
On Aug. 23, the $75,000 Old Nelson Starter Handicap runs at 1 3/16 miles on the turf.
The August 31 program feautres the Virginia Derby. The outstanding all turf stakes lineup also includes the listed $150,000 Virginia Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles; the $100,000 TAA Kitten’s Joy for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000 Rosie’s, also for 2-year-olds, at 5 1 /2 furlongs.
Over the years, the Virginia Derby has been won by Eclipse Awards Champions Kitten’s Joy, English Channel and Gio Ponti. Hall of Fame-trainer Bill Mott and Eclipse Award-winning trainer Dale Romans have each saddled three winners of the Virginia Derby.
“As a trainer who has had some very good days at Colonial Downs, I am very happy for horsemen, the new management and racing fans in Virginia that the track will be opening again this summer, especially at a facility that has one of the best turf courses anywhere in the country,” said Romans, who won the Virginia Derby with Kitten’s Joy (2004), Paddy O’Prado (2010) and Silver Max (2012).
The 2019 Colonial Downs meet will close Sept. 7 with six stakes races totaling $550,000. Five of those events are Virginia-bred flat races and one is an open steeplechase. There will be three races carded at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf: the $100,000 Jamestown for 2-year-olds; the $100,000 Punchline for 3-year-olds and up, and the $100,000 Camptown for fillies and mares. The two route races on the program will be the $100,000 Bert Allen at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up, and the $100,000 Brookemeade for fillies and mares, also at 1 1/8 miles.
The $50,000 Randolph D. Rouse Steeplechase for fillies and mares will be run at 2 ¼ miles over national fences.