~ High-profile trainers Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Ken McPeek all enter horses in historic Kentucky Derby qualifying race this Saturday, March 15 at Colonial Downs; Multiple Triple Crown race winning jockeys to ride this weekend ~
The race fields for the historic 2025 Virginia Derby and 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a slate of promising young horses, including one born right here in Virginia, and legendary race teams, trainers, and jockeys with multiple Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown victories on their resumes.
“Racing’s legends and rising stars will be continuing their journey on The Road to the Kentucky Derby right here at Colonial Downs this Saturday,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations for Colonial Downs. “The 2025 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will feature worldclass horses trained and jockeyed by some of the absolute best in the business. This is sure to be an exciting and historic day in Virginia racing!”
Fewer than 500 General Admission tickets remain at the fan-friendly price of just $5, while all reserved seats are sold out.
The 2025 Virginia Derby will, for the first time ever, serve as a qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby with the winning horse securing a spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby.
The 2025 Virginia Derby will feature world-class three-year old horses including:
- Early favorite Getaway Car trained by two-time Triple Crown winning and six-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.
- American Promise, son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas
- Render Judgement featuring the trainer/jockey combination of Ken McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan and 2024 Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna
- Omaha Omaha—this promising horse was born at Chance Farm in Gordonsville, Virginia and will be running his first race in his home state
- John Hancock ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career
The full Virginia Derby field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:
1. Calling Card (Luan Machado, Mike Maker, 15-1)
2. John Hancock (Mike Smith, Brad Cox, 3-1)
3. American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 12-1)
4. Omaha Omaha (Raul Mena, Michael Gorham, 10-1)
5. Studlydoright (Xavier Perez, John Robb, 15-1)
6. Getaway Car (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Bob Baffert, 9-5)
7. Rapture (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 5-1)
8. Authentic Gallop (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 10-1)
9. Render Judgement (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 12-1)
10. Georgia Magic (Sheldon Russell, Ray Handal, 30-1)
(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)
The 2025 Virginia Oaks will feature a field of eight promising three-year old fillies seeking qualification for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks. These include:
- Gowells Delight and Anonima both trained by 2024 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks winning trainer Ken McPeek. Gowells Delight will be ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr. who won the 2024 Kentucky Derby aboard Mystik Dan and the 2024 Kentucky Oaks riding Thorpedo Anna
- Low Key ridden by Mike Smith who won the 2018 Triple Crown aboard Justify and has won a total of seven Triple Crown races in his career
- Icona Mama ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez
- You’ll Be Back ridden by four-time Triple Crown race winning jockey Javier Castellano
The full Virginia Oaks field with odds as of Saturday, March 8 is:
1. Icona Mama (John Velazquez, Flint Stites, 8-1)
2. Low Key (Mike Smith, Tom Amoss, 10-1)
3. Gowells Delight (Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, 3-1)
4. Anonima (Colby Hernandez, Ken McPeek, 6-1)
5. Early On (Flavien Prat, Saffie Joseph, Jr., 8-1)
6. You’ll Be Back (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 9-2)
7. Girl Math (Luan Machado, Rodolphe Brisset, 5-1)
8. Fondly (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Graham Motion, 7-2)
(Jockey, Trainer, Odds)
This special weekend of spring racing at Colonial Downs begins on Thursday, March 13 with a post time of 12:30pm, continues on Friday, March 14 with races beginning at 12:30pm, and culminates with Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, March 15 with the day’s first race beginning at noon. Derby Day will feature a 10-race card including the Virginia Oaks (Race 8) and Virginia Derby (Race 9.)
For tickets or more information about the 2025 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.