Meet the Contenders: 2026 Virginia Derby
Confessional wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
March 10th, 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents the opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
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Buetane rolled on debut at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photos)
#1 Buetane ****
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pro: Consistent check getter has kept better company than anyone else here.
Con: Reverting to one turn is a plus, but nine furlongs might still stretch his limits.
#6 Courting wins with #3 Grittiness second and #5 Stream It third at Aqueduct. (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Grittiness **
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pro: Distant second in Withers S., though closest finish to date at one turn.
Con: Hard to like entirely as one of two maidens in the field.
Epic Desire wins at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photo)
#3 Epic Desire **
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Pro: No factor in Sam F. Davis S., but the form of race has turned out okay.
Con: Neither entry from the leading barn looks like one of the leading candidates.
TwinSpires
#4 Work *
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Pro: Coming around at the right time for a two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning barn.
Con: Smoked in all but the latest run, which was on turf; not fast enough on paper.
High Camp wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coaglianese Photo)
#5 High Camp ****
Trainer: Will Walden
Pro: Both runs at Gulfstream were solid, and he's worked well since graduation.
Con: Lack of experience versus winners is the main drawback.
Lockstocknpharoah wins at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#6 Lockstocknpharoah ***
Trainer: Thomas Drury
Pro: Impressive in both starts at Turfway; deserving of a stakes try.
Con: Concedes experience on dirt, having raced only on Tapeta.
#7 Incredibolt ***
Trainer: Riley Mott
Pro: Street Sense (G3) winner threw a dud in Holy Bull (G3) but is capable of better.
Con: Figures to be playing catch-up; needs a strong pace.
⚡ Incredibolt goes from last to first in the G3 Street Sense and earns 10 Kentucky Derby points! @jaimetorresjcky was aboard for trainer @riley_mott.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 26, 2025
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/w8OfRtZnmz
Confessional wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Confessional *****
Trainer: Brad Cox
Pro: Second best to Nearly two back, and blinkers might help here.
Con: Gave up readily in the stretch of Sam F. Davis.
TwinSpires
#9 Ocelli **
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Pro: Earned checks first three before modest run in Sam F. Davis.
Con: Hard to endorse a four-loss maiden for all.
Clocker Special wins at Ellis Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#10 Clocker Special **
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Pro: Should improve off comeback and breaks outside other speed.
Con: Speed ratings are relatively light so far.
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