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By MARY K. BLEWITT
Arundel Newspapers Richmond Bureau
RICHMOND — With the first signs of spring appearing this weekend, Virginia’s neighbors to the west began anxiously anticipating America’s most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby. Established in 1875, the derby is held annually on the first Saturday in May in Louisville, Ky.
In far off Italy, jitters of anticipation are also present in the quiet town of Siena. The 350-year-old Palio horse race is held every July and August within the city’s ancient town hall, bringing the city to life.
Here in Virginia, though, the excitement is just as real, as the state's first Racing Commission begins to lay plans for horse racing in Virginia. “This is going to be exciting for Virginia,” ^taid Nancy Roberts, deputy secretary of economic development, about the state’s racing start-up.
"This is an enthusiastic commission,” Roberts said. “They take it to heart.” Jhe five-member eommis
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