Virginia

Virginia Derby Delivers Banner Day for Colonial Downs

Published

1 year ago

March 16, 2025

Virginia Derby Delivers Banner Day for Colonial Downs

As he waited to do an interview hours before the March 15 running of the Virginia Derby, trainer Kenny McPeek was approached by racing fans who wanted their photograph taken with him.

McPeek was one of four Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers with entries Saturday at Colonial Downs, on a day the track drew a record crowd and brought in a record handle.

As the only one in attendance in the Commonwealth, he drew a crowd.

“The history of horse racing is deep in Virginia,” McPeek said. “I think to have a signature event like what they’ve got today is nothing more than perfect. Because we need to get Virginia back on the map as a Thoroughbred location.”

Buoyed by its first-time status as a Kentucky Derby qualifier, the Virginia Derby was at its biggest and best Saturday, a perfect sun-splashed afternoon.

Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone—the voice of the Kentucky Derby—was on the mic for the event, and Virginia gov. Glenn Youngkin was on hand for the trophy presentation.

“The racing and equestrian industry has been part of Virginia’s history,” Youngkin said. “And I think Virginia has contributed so much to racing and the equestrian industry that we should have more of it here.”

Moving the Derby to a spring dirt race and having the Kentucky Derby connection elevated both the profile and excitement for the day.

“It’s great for Virginia racing, for sure,” trainer Mike Gorham said. “They’ve never ran in the spring before. We’ve got a beautiful day. Got a big crowd and a lot of enthusiasm. Everyone’s pointing to the Derby. Everyone’s got a little Derby fever. It’s a good show.”

The elevated stakes—50 points toward the Kentucky Derby for the winner and a prize of over $500,000—helped attract a field that included entrants trained by McPeek, D. Wayne Lukas, Bob Baffert, and Brad Cox.

Lukas’ American Promise took first in dominant fashion, pulling away from the field on the backstretch, setting a track record for a 1 1/8-mile race and winning by 7 3/4 lengths.

McPeek’s Render Judgement placed second, followed by the Virginia-born Omaha Omaha , a crowd favorite on the day.

Baffert’s Getaway Car —the favorite at post-time—placed fourth, while Cox’s Rapture took sixth.

Just over a decade after Colonial Downs was shuttered, the track—which re-opened for Thoroughbred racing in 2019—enjoyed arguably its finest day.

A sell-out crowd of more than 8,000 fans rang through a record $6,540,489 in bets.

Photo: Coady Media/Renee Torbit

American Promise after winning the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs

The goal, put simply, is to grow Thoroughbred racing in Virginia, where not having events year-round has been an obstacle. To counter that, the Virginia Equine Alliance launched its certified program, running Virginia-only restricted races and awarding prize money to horses that lived or trained in Virginia for at least six months before the age of three, even when their wins came in other states in the mid-Atlantic region.

“When Colonial was shuddered, our Thoroughbred industry was falling apart,” VEA president Debbie Easter said, estimating Virginia was breeding about 100 Thoroughbred foals a year at that point. “For us to compete with the states around us that had more money, more horses, we couldn’t do it. We decided if we can’t breed them all, we’re gonna raise them.”

Gorham brought an added dimension of Virginia pride to the track Saturday. His horse, Omaha Omaha, was born at Chance Farms in Gordonville, Va.

As American Promise ran away from the field down the backstretch, Omaha Omaha pulled himself into a pack and, after a photo finish, took third place, behind McPeek’s Render Judgement.

“I think a lot of things are coming together in Virginia,” McPeek said. “With Churchill Downs working together with the Virginia Racing Commission and the governor, and the fact that there is a good breeding program here in Virginia—we need to grow all of that. As you can see with the number of people that are here today, you have a lot of energy. This is really what horse racing about, days like today.”

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Virginia

Virginia Beach police investigate teen brawl at Nova Adventure Park

Published

4 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

Virginia Beach police investigate teen brawl at Nova Adventure Park

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach police are investigating after a large crowd of teens were fighting Saturday evening at Nova Adventure Park.

A Virginia Beach police officer was in the 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway at approximately 9:35 p.m. when a large group of teens started fighting. Additional officers arrived and the teenagers disbursed.

Police said at least one victim involved suffered an injury that was not life-threatening.

The incident is under active investigation.

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Virginia

Gas prices dip slightly in Virginia, but relief may not last

Published

16 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Gas prices dip slightly in Virginia, but relief may not last

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Gas prices in Virginia are easing slightly, but any relief at the pump may be short-lived.

AAA reports the state average is now $4.01 per gallon, down about four cents from last week. Despite the dip, prices remain significantly higher when compared to recent months, up roughly 65 cents from a month ago and nearly a dollar more than this time last year.

The national average is also elevated, sitting at $4.12 per gallon.

Experts say the primary driver behind the sustained increase is the rising cost of crude oil, fueled in part by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Even if those pressures begin to ease, analysts warn that drivers should not expect immediate relief.

“The old adage is about gas prices going up they go up like a rocket and then come down like a feather. So they tend to go up very fast in geopolitical crisis like this, but they come down much much slower. So we’re watching and waiting to see what happens there in the Middle East,” said Morgan Dean, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA.

For now, the outlook remains uncertain as global events continue to influence what drivers are paying at the pump.

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Virginia

Whitley’s Peanut Factory Marks 40 Years with an Eye on Virginia’s 250th Celebration | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

Published

1 day ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Whitley’s Peanut Factory Marks 40 Years with an Eye on Virginia’s 250th Celebration | Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

Todd Smith’s son, Brett, joined the family business 5 years ago. (Whitley’s Peanut Factory)

GLOUCESTER — What began as a small kitchen experiment has grown into a staple of Virginia’s peanut industry. This year, Whitley’s Peanut Factory is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of family tradition, innovation, and steady growth in Gloucester.

For owner Todd Smith, the milestone is both personal and professional.

“We’re doing something right,” Smith said. “The quality of the product and great customer service, those two things have carried us for 40 years.”

The company officially launched in 1986, though its roots trace back to Smith’s upbringing in the peanut business. His father worked closely with farmers supplying seed peanuts, giving Smith early exposure to an industry that would later define his career.

The idea for the business came from a homemade recipe.

“My dad used to cook these peanuts in our kitchen,” Smith said. “We decided to try it commercially, put them in a can, and see if we could sell them.”

Whitley’s first location before and what it looks now. (Whitley’s Peanut Factory)

Starting with a small retail store, a single cooker, and just a few employees, the company has since expanded into a multi-location operation. Today, Whitley’s employs dozens of workers, particularly during the busy holiday season when demand peaks.

Despite its growth, the company has remained committed to its original process.

“We’re doing the same thing today that we did 40 years ago, just on a bigger scale,” Smith said.

That consistency has been key to maintaining the brand’s identity and loyal customer base. At the same time, the company has found ways to evolve without compromising quality.

Remaining in southeastern Virginia has been essential to the company’s success. The region is known for producing Virginia peanuts, a variety prized for its size and flavor.

“We’re close to where the peanuts are sourced,” Brett Smith said. “That’s always been important.”

Over the years, Whitley’s has also become a significant employer in Gloucester. During peak seasons, the company employs around 90 people, contributing to the local economy and providing long-term opportunities for many workers.

As Whitley’s celebrates 40 years, the focus is also on what comes next. Todd Smith hopes to eventually pass the business on to his son, who joined the company five years ago.

“The goal is for him to take over and carry on the legacy,” Smith said.

Brett Smith sees both opportunity and challenge ahead.

“The world is changing fast,” he said. “It’s about adapting to that while staying true to what’s made us successful.”

The 250th Whitley’s Peanuts collection. (Whitley’s Peanut Factory)

The company’s 40th anniversary comes at a unique time for the Commonwealth, as Virginia prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. For Whitley’s, the overlap adds another layer of meaning to the milestone.

To mark both occasions, the company has introduced commemorative packaging and is participating in local events and festivals tied to the anniversary, particularly in historic areas like Williamsburg and Yorktown. From community gatherings to major seasonal celebrations, Whitley’s is using the moment to highlight both its own history and Virginia’s broader story.

“It’s kind of the bigger picture,” Brett Smith said. “We’re proud of 40 years, but 250 years is pretty incredible.”

As Virginia reflects on its past, Whitley’s Peanut Factory is celebrating its own legacy, while positioning itself to remain part of the state’s future for years to come.

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