NEW KENT — More than 800 horses fill the barns at Colonial Downs during race season, but behind the bustle of grooms, jockeys and gatekeepers is the Rev. Jay Hurley, who cares for the people who care for the horses.

Hurley, who has been a pastor of Samaria Baptist Church in Charles City County for the last 12 years, has served as Colonial Downs’ chaplain since 2019.

“There are grooms, jockeys, gatekeepers, among others,” said Darrell Wood, the marketing director of the Virginia Equine Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes horse breeding and the racing industry. “Chaplain Hurley ministers to all of them.”

Hurley’s work with Colonial Downs started with an unexpected phone call one Wednesday night.

“I was driving to the church … to do a Bible study,” he said. “I got this phone call on my ce

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