(New Kent, Va.) – In a bid to ensure that those in attendance actually realize that there are horses involved, there will be wagering on the Strawberry Hill Races for the first time in 2011.

The Virginia Racing Commission has approved a live racing application that permits pari-mutuel wagering on four Strawberry Hill Races steeplechase races on May 21, 2011 at Colonial Downs in New Kent County. Strawberry Hill’s traditional training flat race, the SFVA Turf Cup, is exempt and will not be available for wagering.

This marks the first time that live, pari-mutuel wagering will be available at the Strawberry Hill Races, which was founded as the Deep Run Races in 1895.

The 79th running of the Strawberry Hill Races will happen the same day as The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland.

New in 2010, Pari-mutuel wagering will again be available to Strawberry Hill attendees through Colonial Downs, both on selected simulcast races from throughout the United States as well as the Preakness Stakes. Most of the Pimlico Race Card will be simulcast at the Strawberry Hill Races in real time, with the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes being the grand finale of the day. As a result, gates open later – at 11 a.m., with the first of five Strawberry Hill Races going off at 2:30 p.m.

For complete information, pricing and times, please visit strawberryhillraces.com.