Virginia Equine Charities Root for Kentucky Derby Entrants, Race Fans Celebrate Local Connections

~ Virginia-based Thoroughbred aftercare organizations paired with Derby entrants; Virginia connections abound during weekend of racing ~

NEW KENT, Va. (May 3, 2024)—Virginia Thoroughbred racing fans will be cheering on two special entrants during Virginia’s largest Kentucky Derby party this weekend at Colonial Downs, while Virginia connections to this weekend’s races abound.

The Churchill Downs Foundation has partnered with 20 distinguished Thoroughbred aftercare organizations, including two in Central Virginia, for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) by pledging a substantial $150,000 donation to support the vital mission of these organizations. Each organization is guaranteed at least a $5,000 donation from the Churchill Downs Foundation with the organization paired with the winner of the Kentucky Derby receiving a $25,000 donation. The runner-up will be awarded $20,000, the third-place finisher will receive $15,000 and fourth place will garner $10,000.

For this year’s 150^th Kentucky Derby:

• Virginia Thoroughbred Project (Orange County) is partnered with #6 Just Steel
• James River Horse Foundation (Goochland Country) is partnered with #10 T O Password

In addition to this charitable contribution for the Derby’s top finishers, Virginia connections to this weekend’s races abound:

Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day)

• Sparkle Blue, runner-up in the 2022 Virginia Derby, races in the G3 Modesty on the Oaks Day undercard. The Modesty is an early prep race for the $500k Beverly D. which will be raced at Colonial Downs on Saturday, August 10.
• Mo Fox Givin, who won in her career debut at Colonial Downs last summer, races in the G3 Edgewood on the Oaks Day undercard.

Saturday (Kentucky Derby Day):

• Front Run the Fed, winner of the last two editions of the Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs, races in the TwinSpires Turf Sprint (Grade 2) on the Derby Day undercard. Mo Stash who ran in the Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs last summer is also in the Turf Sprint.
• Mission of Joy, fourth in last year’s Va. Oaks, races in the G2 Distaff Turf Mile
• Integration and Program Trading, the 1-2 finishers in last year’s Va. Derby, race in the $1Million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (Grade 1) – the race before the Kentucky Derby. Also in that race are Never Explain, fourth in last year’s Arlington Million, and Cellist, who raced at Colonial Downs in 2023.
• The Grade 1 Old Forester Turf Classic has proven to be a reliable feeder race for the G1 Arlington Million, which will be run at Colonial Downs on Saturday, August 10.