The first Virginia Derby as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby is this weekend
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Image: Courtesy of Colonial Downs
The Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs' first horse race as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, is on Saturday.
Why it matters: The event promises to offer locals an annual slice of the legendary Kentucky Derby, right here at home.
The big picture: Live horse racing at Colonial Downs has made big strides since 2022, the year Churchill Downs Inc. — the parent company of the famed Kentucky Derby — bought the track.
- Under the new ownership, and with enthusiastic support from Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Colonial Downs added three big-deal horse races to the season, moved live racing to weekends (from weekdays at 1:30pm) and expanded the food and drink offerings.
- This year, the New Kent track will also host its longest live racing season in recent history: 44 days, up from 27 days last year.
- Youngkin's announcement last year that the winner of the Virginia Derby would earn an automatic spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby was the biggest and most exciting for the track yet.
Among the horses to watch this weekend, according to Colonial Downs:
- Getaway Car, who is trained by Bob Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown winner and six-time Kentucky Derby winner.
- American Promise, the son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify and trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
- Virginia-born Omaha Omaha, who was born at Chance Farm in Gordonsville and will be running his first race in Virginia.
More important than the horses, of course, is the Derby-themed fun, which on Saturday includes:
- 🥃 Mint Juleps, which will be available for purchase
- 👒 Funky hats, which are encouraged
- 🤑 Horse betting, which is fully legal in Virginia
- 🎸Plus, live music by '80s cover band The Deloreans
Yes, but: The Virginia Derby sold out early Wednesday, all 8,000-plus tickets.
But, but, but: More live races at Colonial Downs will be run on Thursday and Friday to kick off race weekend. Tickets are available for both.
- Races start at 12:30pm both days and general admission is free.
- Or locals can wait for Colonial Downs' summer season, which starts July 9.
What they're saying: "Colonial Downs is becoming a destination for premier racing in our region, and this sellout proves that we're just scratching the surface of what we can do here in the Commonwealth," Frank Hopf, the track's senior director of racing operations, said in a statement.
The bottom line: Virginia is now an important part of the Kentucky Derby, so we should all consider investing in a super fly derby hat.