THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997             TAG: 9701280275
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                          LENGTH:   25 lines

HOUSE GETS BILL TO EXTEND DATE FOR OPENING HORSE TRACK

A legislative committee has endorsed a bill extending by two months Colonial Downs' deadline for opening its horse track in New Kent County.

With little discussion, the House General Laws Committee voted 11-3 Saturday to send the bill to the House of Delegates floor. The bill extends the deadline from July 1 to Sept. 1.

``This is simply reflective of harsh winter weather last year,'' said Del. Clifton A. ``Chip'' Woodrum, D-Roanoke.

Track officials say poor weather has cost builders about 25 work days.

The General Assembly last year passed legislation saying that if the track did not open by July 1, Colonial Downs would have to close its off-track betting parlors in Chesapeake and Richmond. The betting parlors are considered crucial to the track's success.

A bill to extend the deadline also is pending in a Senate committee.

KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997 PROPOSED BILL HORSE TRACK