The racing scene shifts to Virginia today when picturesque Colonial Downs in New Kent County launches a 26-day stand that is headlined by the $500,000 Virginia Derby on July 13.

Buoyed by a 33 percent increase in overall handle after switching to summer racing dates in its fifth year, the track will be offering a lucrative $200,000 average in daily purses at this meeting.

"We had a good thoroughbred meeting last summer and we're looking for an even better one this year," said general manager John Mooney. "We did better than in the fall because a lot of local residents are on vacation, there are a lot more tourists in the area to go to Busch Gardens and Williamsburg and Kings Dominion, and there is a lot of beach traffic."

In its early years, Colonial Downs floundered financially while running autumn dates, and like many racetracks, is still struggling to put people on the grounds for live racing.

But four off-track betting sites in the state are thriving, and licenses are available for two more if local referenda can be passed. Track management would like nothing better than to locate a simulcast site in the heavily populated Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, but have been unable to acquire public approval.

Getting horses has not been a problem, Mooney said. "Far more trainers and horses are applying for stalls than we have, and there is a waiting list," he said. "There is a lot more interest from New York this year, and we'll have horses from Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Kentucky and Florida, as well."

The state-of-the-art turf course is one of the major attractions at the plant located between Richmond and Norfolk. Approximately 75 percent of the track's action will be on the grass.

Promotions have been stepped up, with The Monkees appearing the night before the Virginia Derby-which will be televised on ESPN2 - and the Gatlin Brothers on Derby day.

Colonial will operate live Friday through Tuesday and be off Wednesday and Thursday. The exception is Thursday, July 4, when the track will be open.

The early portion of the meeting will feature a tribute to jockey Mario Pino, three-time leading rider at the track and winner of $2.7 million in purses since the track opened in 1997.

Tomorrow, the first 5,000 patrons will receive Mario Pino bobblehead dolls, and Sunday, the first 2,000 fans will receive commemorative posters of the man closing in on 5,000 victories.