This ain't your grandfather's horse race.

Colonial Downs will host Rhythm, Bets N' Brews from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., this Saturday, June 21 to kick off the opening leg of the 2008 Grand Slam of Grass. The series kicks off this weekend with the Colonial Turf Cup, the first race of the series.

Known as the richest grand slam in sports, the Jacobs Investments Grand Slam of Grass offers a purse of $5 million, plus a bonus purse of $2 million to any horse that wins all four races in the series. The Saturday race will feature thoroughbred racing's top 3-year-old turf horses as they compete for the Colonial Turf Cup prize of $600,000.

Mint juleps aside, the festival will feature 25 different microbrews as well as local brew favorites Richbrau and Olde Richmond. $10 gets you a sampling mug and five sampling tickets, while additional sampling tickets are just $1.

If you're new to horseracing and wagering, stop by the Colonial Downs Racing Education Center. Betting experts will be on hand to teach you the ins and outs of betting. They offer newcomers the opportunity to win with little money, placing minimum bets of $2 or to try their luck at the 10-cent Superfecta.

In addition to festival fare and microbrews, live music entertainment will be provided by Richmond locals The Atkinsons and indie-country favorites Last Train Home.

While the doors open at 11 a.m. and the horse racing starts at 1 p.m., with the featured Colonial Turf Cup event later that evening, get to the festival early because the first 3,500 paid admissions will receive a free commemorative Colonial Turf Cup beer stein.

Rhythm, Bets N' Brews will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 at Colonial Downs. Tickets are only $2, kids 12 and under are free.  To sample some of the microbrews, tickets are $10 which includes a sampling mug and 5 sampling tickets and additional sampling tickets are only $1.  For more information on the festival, call Colonial Downs at (804) 966-RACE (7223).