OCELLI, INCREDIBOLT TARGET $500,000 VIRGINIA DERBY

Incredibolt, shown winning the G3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs on Oct. 26, 2025, has the $500,000 Virginia Derby as his next target.

Incredibolt, shown winning the G3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs on Oct. 26, 2025, has the $500,000 Virginia Derby as his next target.

Trainer Whit Beckman

NEW KENT, Va. (FEB. 20, 2026) — With nominations for the $500,000 Virginia Derby closing Wednesday, Feb. 25, Ocelli and Grade 3 winner Incredibolt have emerged as likely starters.

The 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby will be run Saturday, March 14, highlighting Colonial Downs’ three-day meet which runs Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14. Held seven weeks before the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, the race awards 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points to the top five finishers toward a berth in the “Run for the Roses.” The three-day meet also includes the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, offering 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points.

Trained by Whit Beckman, Ocelli has generated buzz with three in-the-money finishes and sharp morning workouts. “I’ve always seen the talent that this colt has,” Beckman said. “We’re excited to point him toward the Virginia Derby.”

The Connect colt, owned by Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, finished sixth behind Renegade in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February. Ocelli has faced top 3-year-olds in all four of his starts, including a third-place finish to Reagan’s Honor on the Lecomte undercard at Fair Grounds. Reagan’s Honor later earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure in an allowance win.

“He’s had some excuses, some tough trips, faced some very good horses,” he said. “I think it will be a really good spot for him. Looking over the condition book, there are some good races for us and we’ll have a few more entries for the week.”

Trained by Riley Mott, Incredibolt earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with his victory in October’s Street Sense (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Bolt d’Oro colt, owned by Pin Oak Stud, finished sixth in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park in his lone start this year.

Nominations for all seven opening-week stakes close Wednesday, Feb. 25. The meet begins Thursday, March 12, with the inaugural $150,000 Golden Horseshoe Handicap (1 3/16 miles, older horses) and the $150,000 Stellar Wind Handicap (6 furlongs, Virginia-restricted fillies and mares). The $150,000 Boston Handicap (7 furlongs, Virginia-restricted older horses) follows Friday, March 13. Virginia-restricted races are open to Virginia-bred, -sired and -certified horses. The $100,000 Royal New Kent and $100,000 Sandy Bottom, both 1-mile races, will debut on the Virginia Derby undercard.

Gates will open at 10 a.m. for Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, March 14 and post time is 12 p.m. All reserved tickets are sold out, but a limited number of General Admission tickets remain available at www.ColonialDowns.com at the fan-friendly price of just $5 as well as $75 “loaded” GA tickets that include two food items and four drink tickets.
Gates open at 10 a.m. March 14 with a noon first post. The summer meet runs June 25 through Sept. 7.

Photo credits: Coady Media