One would only have to look no further than the very first winner of the Colonial to know that the stake for sophomore trotters would showcase the very best that the sport would have to offer.

The brilliant Star’s Pride colt, Nevele Pride, took the inaugural top honors in the 1968 classic on his way to being named Harness Horse of the Year. That would be his second such honor and “Pride” would eventually be only one of two standardbreds to be named Horse of the Year for three seasons as a 2, 3 and 4-year-old.

In all, three other Colonial winners would go on and be named Harness Horse of the Year: Savoir, Green Speed and Mack Lobell.

Within the list of previous winners, ten horses would be named as 3-Year-Old Colt Trotter of the Year and three of those would sweep the Trotting Triple Crown. 10 out of the first 12 Colonial winners were driven by men, who have been enshrined into the Harness Hall of Fame.

Initially, it was the flagship event of the racing season at the former Liberty Bell Park in northeastern Philadelphia. When the track closed in 1985, the Colonial began an odyssey that took it to Rosecroft Raceway. There it was contested on both the half-mile surface and the 5/8 mile track that would be constructed.

In 1995, it was held at Foxboro Park in Massachusetts.

From 1996 to 2003, Woodbine Racetrack in Canada was home for the stake.

In August 2007, the Colonial returned to its birth state and historic home – the Delaware Valley – with its first running at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack.

Click Here for Past Winners of The Colonial.