{{about|the annual event inaugurated in 2025 as a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier|the turf race known from 1998 to 2013 as the Virginia Derby, from 2015 to 2017 as the Commonwealth Derby and from 2019 to 2024 as the New Kent County Virginia Derby|Old Dominion Derby}} {{Infobox horseraces | surface = Dirt | class = '''Stakes''' | horse race = Virginia Derby | image = | caption = | location = Colonial Downs<br>New Kent County, Virginia | inaugurated = 1998 | race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing | website = [https://rosiesgaming.com/racing/ Colonial Downs] | distance = {{frac|1|1|8}} miles (9 furlongs) | track = Left-handed | qualification = Three-year-olds | weight = 123 lbs with allowances | purse = $500,000 (2025) | bonuses = | sponsor = }} The '''Virginia Derby''' is an American ungraded Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on the dirt held annually in March at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia. The event currently carries a purse of $500,000.
==History==
The inaugural running of the event took place on March 15, 2025, as a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race and was won American Promise who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by jockey Nik Juarez by {{frac|7|3|4}} lengths in a track record time of 1:46.41.<ref name=AmericanPromise>{{cite web|last1=Barber |first1=Mike |title=Lukas Derby Bound: American Promise Wins Virginia Derby|url=https://www.irishcentral.com/sports/horse-legend-zenyatta-drinks-guinness-see-video-106675698-237725841 |website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=17 March 2026 |language=en |date= 15 March 2025}}</ref>
In 2024, Churchill Downs Inc., owners of Colonial Downs announced that the turf event known as the Virginia Derby that was held late in the summer would be moved to the early spring and would transition to the dirt track. The event would be part of a new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Derby Joins Road to the Kentucky Derby in 2025 The Virginia Derby will anchor a new four-day spring meet at Colonial Downs. |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/278901/virginia-derby-joins-road-to-the-kentucky-derby-in-2025 |website=Bloodhorse.com |publisher=Edited Press Release Colonial Downs |access-date=9 July 2025 |date=August 11, 2024}}</ref>
== Winners== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Winner ! Jockey ! Trainer ! Owner ! Distance ! Time ! Purse ! Grade ! Ref |-style="font-size:90%; background-color:white" | colspan="10" align="left" |'''Virginia Derby''' |-style="font-size:90%; background-color:beige" | align="center" |2026 |Incredibolt |Jaime Torres |Riley Mott |Pin Oak Stud | align="center" |{{frac|1|1|8}} miles | align="center" |1:47.76 | align="center" |$506,000 | align="center" | |<ref name=R2026>{{cite web|url=https://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CNL&raceDate=03/14/2026&cy=USA&rn=9 |title=2026 Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County - (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=14 March 2026 |accessdate=17 March 2026}}</ref> |-style="font-size:90%; background-color:beige" |align=center |2025 |American Promise |Nik Juarez |D. Wayne Lukas |BC Stables |align=center |{{frac|1|1|8}} miles |align=center |1:46.41 |align=center |$529,900 |align=center | |<ref name=AmericanPromise /><ref name=VirginiaDerby2025>{{cite web|url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=9&BorP=P&TID=CNL&CTRY=USA&DT=03/15/2025&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |title=2025 Virginia Derby Black Type – (race 9) |work=Equibase |date=15 March 2025 |accessdate=16 March 2025}}</ref> |}
==See also== Road to the Kentucky Derby
== References== {{reflist|2}}
{{Road to the Kentucky Derby}}
Category:Flat horse races for three-year-olds Category:Horse races in Virginia Category:Horse races established in 2025 Category:2025 establishments in Virginia Category:Grand Slam of Grass