It's time to hit the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Oaks this weekend at Colonial Downs. Join our team of experts as they go trackside in our all-access coverage for this key horse racing weekend, showcasing the Virginia Derby and the Virginia Oaks. Come along with our team for exclusive trackside interviews, expert picks, betting tips, and more. 

Virginia Derby FAQ

What is the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs?

The Virginia Derby is the premier Thoroughbred horse race held at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. It is an annual race for three-year-olds contested at 1 1/8 miles on the dirt, carrying a $500,000 guaranteed purse. 

Since 2025, it has served as an official Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, awarding qualifying points that can earn horses a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate at Churchill Downs. The Virginia Derby is Virginia's only Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

Where is the Virginia Derby held?

The Virginia Derby is held at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County, Virginia — approximately 25 miles east of Richmond. Colonial Downs is the only Thoroughbred racetrack in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The track features both a dirt main track and a turf course, and has hosted live racing since 1997. The address is 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent, VA 23124.

What is the purse for the Virginia Derby?

The 2026 Virginia Derby carries a $500,000 guaranteed purse. Purse distribution runs approximately:

• 1st — $295,000 
• 2nd — $100,000 
• 3rd — $55,000 
• 4th — $30,000 
• 5th — $20,000

In addition to the purse, the race awards Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers. 

What is the Derby race distance and surface?

The Virginia Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt main track at Colonial Downs. The race is run on a single turn out of the backstretch chute. The current dirt format was introduced in 2025 when the race moved from its traditional summer turf format to a spring dirt prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

How big is the Derby field for the Virginia Derby?

The Virginia Derby typically fields between 8 and 14 horses, depending on the year. The 2026 Virginia Derby has drawn a full 10-horse field — five of whom have already competed on the Kentucky Derby trail and four of whom have earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The maximum field size is governed by track configuration and starting gate capacity at Colonial Downs.

How many horses run in the Virginia Derby?

In 2026, ten horses are entered in the Virginia Derby. Historically, field sizes in the modern (post-2019) era have ranged from 8 to 12 starters. During the race's earlier turf era (1998–2013), the field was typically limited to 10–14 horses. For 2026, the 10-horse field was set when entries were taken on March 8, 2026.

What is the Virginia Derby field size history?

The Virginia Derby has seen field sizes vary significantly throughout its history. During the original turf era (1998–2013), the race regularly drew 10 or more horses, including peak years with Grade 2 status and a $1 million purse when 12–14 starters were common. After the track reopened in 2019, the summer turf editions averaged 8–10 runners. Since moving to the spring dirt format in 2025, the race has attracted competitive 10-horse fields as a Kentucky Derby prep, with top trainers nationally sending quality three-year-olds to New Kent.

Who are the Virginia Derby 2026 contenders?

The full 10-horse field for the 2026 Virginia Derby includes:

Who is the favorite for the 2026 Virginia Derby?

Buetane, trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and ridden by top jockey Flavien Prat, opened as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. The Tiz the Law colt drew the rail (post 1) and has competed in three consecutive graded stakes. Confessional (Brad Cox / Irad Ortiz Jr., 4-1) and High Camp (9-2) are considered the top challengers, while Lockstocknpharoah (5-1) is attracting attention as a potentially dangerous long-distance runner from an all-weather surface.

Who are the past winners of the Virginia Derby?

Selected notable past winners of the Virginia Derby include:
 

• 2025 — American Promise
• 2012 — Silver Max
• 2010 — Paddy O'Prado
• 2008 — Gio Ponti (Eclipse Award champion)
• 2006 — Go Between
• 2005 — English Channel (Eclipse Award champion)
• 2004 — Kitten's Joy (Eclipse Award champion)
• 2003 — Silver Tree
• 1998 — Crowd Pleaser (inaugural winner)

American Promise's 2025 win was the inaugural edition of the modern spring dirt format.

Who won the 2025 Virginia Derby?

American Promise, a three-year-old colt trained by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, won the inaugural spring dirt edition of the Virginia Derby on March 15, 2025, at Colonial Downs. Ridden by jockey Nik Juarez, American Promise won by a dominant 7 3/4 lengths in a track record time of 1:46.41 for the 1 1/8-mile distance. The victory earned American Promise 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, securing a spot in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field.

What is the Colonial Downs racing schedule?

Colonial Downs holds two distinct meets in 2026:

• Spring Meet (3 days): Thursday, March 12 – Saturday, March 14, 2026
  • Thursday, March 12: Opening Day, headlined by the $100,000 Golden Horseshoe Handicap (1 3/8 miles).
  • Friday, March 13: Headlined by the $150,000 Boston Handicap (7 furlongs) and $150,000 Stellar Wind (6 furlongs, fillies & mares).
  • Saturday, March 14: Derby Day — $500,000 Virginia Derby (Race 9), $250,000 Virginia Oaks (Race 8), $100,000 Sandy Bottom (fillies & mares), and $100,000 Royal New Kent (open).
• Summer Meet (45 days): Thursday, June 25 – Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
  • Racing Thursday–Sunday each week. 
  • The summer meet features graded stakes, including the Old Dominion Derby and other high-profile races.

How many race days does Colonial Downs offer in 2026?

The Virginia Racing Commission awarded Colonial Downs a record 48 live race days in 2026 — three days in the spring meet (March 12–14) plus 45 days in the summer meet (June 25 – September 7). This is the most live racing days Colonial Downs has been awarded since the track reopened in 2019.