INCREDIBOLT WINS THRILLING 2026 VIRGINIA DERBY

~ Sellout crowd of 9,700+ watch Incredibolt secure spot in 152^ndKentucky Derby by winning Virginia’s only Kentucky Derby qualifier race; Bottle of Rouge claims Virginia Oaks; Record $7.8 million wagered on Derby Day races ~

NEW KENT, Va. (March 14, 2026)—On a perfect spring day for racing at Virginia’s premier thoroughbred racetrack, a sellout crowd of more than 9,700 Virginia race fans watched Incredibolt win the $500,000 Virginia Derby by four lengths with a time of 1:47.76 for the 1 1/8 mile race at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County. The three-year old colt, who went off with 6-1 odds, is trained by Riley Mott, owned by Pin Oak Stud, LLC, and was piloted to victory by jockey Jaime A. Torres. Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier presented the winning race team with the Virginia Derby trophy and led the sellout crowd in the traditional champagne toast to the winners.

Thanks to his victory in the 2026 Virginia Derby, Incredibolt has earned 50 points on The Road to the Kentucky Derby, securing himself a spot in the field for the 152^nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2025.

“Congratulations to the connections of Incredibolt on today’s win in the Virginia Derby,” said Bill Mudd, President and COO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack. “We are so proud to celebrate the resurgence of racing in Virginia with this one-of-a-kind event. Churchill Downs Incorporated is grateful for our partners across the Commonwealth who continue to support the growth and revitalization of Virginia’s racing and equine industries.”

“It was very impressive. He sat right in the pocket behind a hot pace and was surrounded by horses most of the way. He took Jaime right up into a hole on the rail turning for home and then just blasted off and was pulling away at the end,” said Virginia Derby winning trainer Riley Mott. “In his morning workouts and races, he’s always galloped out really well. He’s bred to do it and he’s shown us he can finish races going long, so we’re optimistic and hopeful we can make it to the first Saturday in May. I’m happy for the horse and our staff, and especially happy for the Pin Oak team and the Bernhard family. We’re missing a very important member today in Mr. Jim Bernhard, but I know he’s looking down on us.”

“He’s really matured and has a lot more confidence now. That showed today,” said Virginia Derby winning jockey Jaime Torres. “I felt like I had plenty of horse around the half-mile, and I thought the horses in front were starting to slow down a little. I was just waiting for the right spot. This is a dream come true.”

In another thrilling race in the day’s race program, Bottle of Rouge claimed the 2026 Virginia Oaks win with a time of 1:41.41 for the 1 1/16 mile race. The three-year old filly, who earned 37.5 points on The Road to the Kentucky Oaks, is trained by Bob Baffert, owned by Natalie J. Baffert, and was piloted to victory by jockey Flavien Prat who won five of the day’s ten races.

Wagering from all sources on the Virginia Derby Day program totaled a new Virginia Derby Day record of $7,799,881, eclipsing last year’s record handle of $6,540,489. The sellout crowd of 9,762 guests eclipsed last year’s inaugural Virginia Derby attendance of more than 8,000.

Virginia’s only Kentucky Derby qualifier race brought top horses, trainers, and jockeys to Colonial Downs for this special spring meet. This included horses trained by marquee names of the sport like Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Brad Cox, among others.

Virginia Derby Day celebrated the character and communities of the Commonwealth with a special tribute to nonprofits that serve our fellow Virginians. Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack, held special trackside recognition ceremonies and made a total of $60,000 in charitable contributions to:

• Peter Paul RVA— Since its founding by Richmond activist John Coleman more than forty years ago, Peter Paul RVA has worked to support the residents of Richmond’s East End community and educate its children, equipping them to serve as positive contributors to their family, community, and society. Its mission is to educate the child, engage the family, and empower the community through educational and cultural programs.
• Dream Catchers— Founded in 1993, Dream Catchers is a charitable organization in Charles City County that provides a wide range of equine assisted services (EAS). Its participants represent a diverse community of people with special needs, at-risk youth, and veterans, from Richmond to Hampton, the Middle Peninsula, and the Northern Neck. Dream Catchers’ therapeutic interventions and educational programs help develop healthier, more productive citizens and create a positive impact for the community today and in the future.
• My Sister’s Hope— My Sister’s Hope started in New Kent County during the beginning of COVID with a conversation between two sisters about supporting single mothers experiencing homelessness. The organization focuses on providing stability and resources to vulnerable people, especially single mothers facing food or housing insecurity, through a variety of programs in and around New Kent County.
• Henry County Public Schools Foundation— The Henry County Public Schools Foundation is a transformative initiative dedicated to advancing educational excellence and opportunity across the school division. By building strong partnerships with individuals, businesses, and the broader community, the Foundation provides resources that go beyond traditional funding, helping to create exceptional learning experiences and open new doors for student success.
• Patriots for Disabled Divers—This Prince William County organization helps disabled veterans enjoy and share the healing experience of scuba diving. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2013, the program has expanded to affiliated dive shops across the country. To date more than 1,500 wounded military veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, amputations and other injuries have benefitted from PfDD’s scuba program.
• The Cohen Clinic at The Up Center— Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) started in 2016 to bring mental health help to veterans and families. In 2019, CVN and The Up Center teamed up to open a clinic in Virginia Beach. The clinic is part of South Hampton Roads’ oldest human services agency. The Choen Clinic at The Up Center offers personalized, confidential mental health care for post 9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families on issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment, grief, anger, and family stress.

With the conclusion of this special three-day Virginia Derby meet, preparations now begin for a record setting summer season at Colonial Downs with days of live racing, the most in the track’s history. The racing season will continue with another 45 days of live racing each Thursday through Sunday from June 25 through a special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

For more information on the upcoming summer season, or to purchase individual day or season tickets. visit www.colonialdowns.com.