Say Goodbye to the Rail at Strawberry Hill

The Strawberry Hill Races have been moved to a new date – June 2 – this year.

But that’s not the only thing that’s changed at the Races.

State Fair of Virginia (SFVA), which has been organizing the event since 1973, is now partnering with Colonial Downs to present the event.

The new partnership is introducing a slew of changes to the Races.

Fans have responded with questions and bewilderment at many of the changes to the beloved event, seen by many as a Richmond rite of spring.

The date change is just one of the many new things you’ll see at the races this year. Here’s what else is new:

1. No more tail-gating “on the rail.” Because there will be racing on both tracks this year, tailgating has been moved off the rail to three separate areas.

The Green: An elevated area near the finish line and
clubhouse. Made up of three different rows.

The Triangle: On the track around Row 1, has multiple rows.

The Shoot: Named after the section of the track that it’s near, has three rows.

Check out the map of the new layout.

In years past, fans were able to tailgate “on the rail” which meant that you could walk around the races in a giant circle from tail-gating party to party.

Jennifer Ross, director of public relations for SFVA, says that race-goers will still be able to walk between the areas, be able to socialize and that it will be a shorter walk. But when the actual race is being run, race-goers will not be able to walk from the Shoot to the Triangle (just like when they would close the Turf Track when the tail-gating was on the rail).

Ross says organizers are hoping the new layout will create better viewing opportunities of the races. “Some people brag that they've never seen a horse at Strawberry Hill,” Ross said, but she’s hoping that the new layout allows race-goers to enjoy the races and the tail-gating parties.

2. Date Change. For the past two years, the Strawberry Hill Races have been held in May. And before that, the races were held in April, which often resulted in rainy, chilly weather.

But why change the date to June 2?

Because June 2 is opening day for Colonial Downs. SFVA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2011. Read the story. Ross says the bankruptcy filing has nothing to do with partnering with Colonial Downs.

The new date means that the Strawberry Hill Races will combine its traditional steeplechase racing with Colonial Downs thoroughbred racing.

3. More Races. The new date and new partnership mean more races. A dozen races in one day: five on turf with steeplechase jumps, four on a flat turf track and three on a flat dirt track.

4. Lower Prices. Tickets prices dropped slightly. Reserved tailgating prices now run $95 to $275. Jockey Club tickets are $40 and Turf Club tickets are $50, both include a buffet. General admission tickets will cost $11 in advance and for the first time, will be able to be purchased at the door, on the day of the race, for $12.

On Facebook, fans seem to be most disgruntled by the new layout and the date change. The new date could mean hot weather – made even worse on the bare track – and it conflicts with the Greek Festival, typically held the weekend after Memorial Day.

Also, by June 2, schools like VCU and UR, will be out. In years past, the Strawberry Hill races became known for the best place to see sundresses and big hats, as well as a giant place to party.

“It is going to be different,” Ross says. “But you’ll still find the celebratory atmosphere” at the races.

Last year, attendance was 12,000 to 15,000. Reserved rail spaces were slightly down. Ross says they hope to see an increase in attendance this year.

The theme for this year’s races will be announced later this week on their Facebook page.

Tickets go on sale for home stretch holders March 8 to March 12. From March 13 to March 23, any one who had a rail space in 2011 can call and select a new space. On April 2, tickets and tail-gating spaces go on sale to the general public.

On June 2, 2012, the gates for the Strawberry Hill Races will open at 10 a.m. for reserved tailgate space holders, with general admission beginning at 11 a.m. The first race begins at 12:55 p.m.

For more details, go to www.strawberryhillraces.com or call (804) 994-2900.

What do you think of the changes? Tell us on the Comments.