Seeking overall growth in horse racing, the Virginia Racing Commission has extended the Colonial Downs Thoroughbred meeting from 40 days to 45 days for 2008.

Virginia horsemen had requested the additional dates and the commission approved the days on December 19. While the number of days is set, factors could affect the specific dates for racing. The commission’s approval allows a window to race five days a week over nine weeks during the 10-week period from June 6 to August 12.

In 2007, Colonial Downs raced 40 days from June 15 through August 7. In recent years, the meet has started the weekend after the Belmont Stakes (G1).

The daily purse average, including stakes, would remain at $226,000 with average daily overnight purses increasing slightly from $152,000 to $156,000. Colonial Downs offered a plan that would have maintained the 40-day meet but would have increased average daily purses 6% to $234,000.