RACE FIELDS SET FOR 2026 VIRGINIA DERBY AND VIRGINIA OAKS

~ Only 500 tickets remain for Saturday’s Virginia Derby; High-profile trainers and jockeys with multiple Triple Crown race winning jockeys to compete ~

NEW KENT, Va. (March 10, 2025)—The race fields for the 2026 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will feature a slate of promising young horses and legendary race teams, trainers, and jockeys with multiple Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown victories on their resumes.

“Some of the sport’s biggest legends and brightest stars will be taking to the track at Colonial Downs this Saturday,” said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations for Colonial Downs. “The 2026 Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks will feature worldclass horses trained by some of the best in the business, as well as some of the most decorated jockeys in the sport. Only a handful of tickets remain, so get yours today!”

Only 500 General Admission tickets remain at the fan-friendly price of just $5, while all reserved seats are sold out. “Loaded” General Admission tickets are also available for $75 with two food and four drink tickets. All tickets are available at www.ColonialDowns.com.

The 2026 Virginia Derby is Virginia’s only qualifying race on The Road to the Kentucky Derby. Horses will compete for a $500,000 purse and a spot in the 152nd Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The 2026 Virginia Derby will feature world-class three-year old horses including:

• Early favorite Buetane trained by two-time Triple Crown winning and six-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer Bob Baffert.
• Two horses, Grittiness and Epic Desire, trained by Todd Pletcher who has two Kentucky Derby and four Belmont Stakes victories on his resume
• High Camp, trained by Will Walden and piloted by John Velazquez, winner of three Kentucky Derbies, two Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness Stakes
• Confessional, trained by 2021 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winning trainer Brad Cox

The full Virginia Derby field with odds as of Saturday, March 7 is:

1. Buetane (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert, 5-2)
2. Grittiness (Rajiv Maragh, Todd Pletcher, 12-1)
3. Epic Desire (Sheldon Russell, Todd Pletcher, 15-1)
4. Work (Mychel Sanchez, Doug O’Neill, 20-1)
5. High Camp (John Velazquez, Will Walden, 9-2)
6. Lockstocknpharoah (Edgar Morales, Thomas Drury Jr., 5-1)
7. Incredibolt (Jaime Torres, Riley Mott, 10-1)
8. Confessional (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Brad Cox, 4-1)
9. Ocelli (Joe Ramos, Whit Beckman, 15-1)
10. Clocker Special (Cristian Torres, Rodolphe Brisset, 8-1)
    (Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

The 2026 Virginia Oaks will feature a field of six promising three-year old fillies racing for a $250,000 purse and a spot in the 2026 Kentucky Oaks. These include Dazzling Dame, trained by Maryland-based trainer Brittany Russell, and horses trained by renowned trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Brad Cox.

The full Virginia Oaks field with odds as of Saturday, March 7 is:

1. Dazzling Dame (Jevian Toledo, Brittany Russell, 5-2)
2. Hit Parade (Irad Ortiz, Jr., Brad Cox, 3-1)
3. Bottle of Rouge (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert, 6-5)
4. Kadabra (John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, 6-1)
5. SomemunnytoLove (Julio Hernandez, Flint W. Stites, 20-1)
6. Baffle (Rajiv Maragh, Todd Pletcher, 10-1)
   (Jockey, Trainer, Odds)

This special weekend of spring racing at Colonial Downs will feature racing beginning at 12:30p on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13. The meet culminates with Virginia Derby Day on Saturday, March 14 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 2026 Virginia Derby, please visit www.colonialdowns.com.