Virginia Derby

The Virginia Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds, traditionally held at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia. Historically a Grade II turf event, the race has been moved to the dirt track and rescheduled to March, serving as a prep race for the Kentucky Derby. The 2025 Virginia Derby is scheduled for March 15, 2025, offering qualifying points to the top five finishers.

Bet on TwinSpires.com

Bet the Virginia Derby

Bet the Virginia Derby

Location: Colonial Downs, New Kent County, VA

Inaugural Race: 1998

TV Coverage: Stream live on TwinSpires.com!

Current Distance: 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs)

Track Type: Left-Handed, Dirt

Age Qualification: 3YOs

Purse: $500,000

Race Date: Sunday, March 16th

Today's Races

All Races

VIEW ALL

Race Type

2025 Virginia Derby Morning Line Odds

Post
Horse
Trainer / Jockey
ML Odds
1
Calling Card
Mike Maker / Luan Machado
15-1
2
John Hancock
Brad Cox / Mike Smith
3-1
3
American Promise
D. Wayne Lukas / Nik Juarez
12-1
4
Omaha Omaha
Michael Gorham / Raul Mena
10-1
5
Studlydoright
John Robb / Xavier Perez
15-1
6
Getaway Car
Bob Baffert / Irad Ortiz Jr.
9-5
7
Rapture
Brad Cox / Flavien Prat
5-1
8
Authentic Gallop
Tom Amoss / Javier Castellano
10-1
9
Render Judgement
Ken McPeek / Brian Hernandez Jr.
12-1
10
Georgia Magic
Ray Handal / Sheldon Russell
30-1

2025 Virginia Derby Results

POST
HORSE
JOCKEY / TRAINER
WIN / PLACE / SHOW
3
American Promise
Nik Juarez / D. Wayne Lukas
$16.80 / $8.20 / $5.40
9
Render Judgment
Sheldon Russell / Kenneth G. McPeek
$15.00 / $9.00
4
Omaha Omaha
Raul E. Mena / Michael E. Gorham
$5.20
6
Getaway Car
Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Bob Baffert
5
Studlydoright
Xavier Perez / John J. Robb
7
Rapture
Flavien Prat / Brad H. Cox
8
Authentic Gallop
Javier Castellano / Thomas M. Amoss

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1 Exacta (3-9) Paid: $94.50
  • $0.50 Trifecta (3-9-4) Paid: $356.65
  • $0.10 Superfecta (3-9-4-6) Paid: $143.32

Watch the 2025 Virginia Derby

History of the Virginia Derby

The Virginia Derby, inaugurated on October 3, 1998, at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia, has established itself as a prominent event in American thoroughbred racing. Initially held in the fall, the race featured a distance of 1¼ miles on the turf course. The inaugural event attracted over 8,000 spectators and was marked by Governor James S. Gilmore III declaring it "Secretariat Day" in honor of the newly dedicated turf course.

In 2001, the Virginia Derby shifted to a mid-July date, aligning with the summer racing season. This change enhanced its appeal, attracting high-caliber horses, including future Eclipse Award champions like Kitten's Joy, English Channel, and Gio Ponti. The race achieved Grade III status in 2004 and was elevated to Grade II in 2006, with its purse peaking at $1 million, solidifying its reputation as a premier turf event for three-year-olds.

However, the race faced challenges when Colonial Downs ceased operations after the 2013 season due to disputes between track management and horsemen's organizations. Consequently, the Virginia Derby was relocated to Laurel Park in Maryland from 2015 to 2017, during which it was renamed the Commonwealth Derby and its distance shortened to 1⅛ miles. The race was not held in 2018 but returned to Colonial Downs in 2019 under its original name and distance, following the track's reopening.

A significant development occurred in 2025 when the Virginia Derby transitioned from turf to dirt and was rescheduled to March 15, becoming a key preparatory race for the Kentucky Derby. This change aimed to enhance its prominence on the national racing calendar, offering qualifying points to the top five finishers and guaranteeing the winner a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. 

All-Time Winners & Results of the Virginia Derby

YEAR
WINNER
JOCKEY
TRAINER
DISTANCE
TIME
2025
American Promise
Nik Juarez
D. Wayne Lukas
1&1/8 Miles
01:46.4
2024
Deterministic
Manuel Franco
Christophe Clement
1&1/8 Miles
01:47.8
2023
Integration
Kendrick Carmouche
Claude R. McGaughey III
1&1/8 Miles
01:46.4
2022
Capensis
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Todd A. Pletcher
1&1/8 Miles
01:48.2
2021
Wootton Asset (FR)
Jose L. Ortiz
H. Graham Motion
1&1/8 Miles
01:46.8
2020
(race not held)
2018
(race not held)
2017
Just Howard
Feargal Lynch
H. Graham Motion
1&1/8 Miles
01:45.8
2016
Deeply Undervalued
Manuel Franco
Chad C. Brown
1&1/8 Miles
01:46.6
2015
One Go All Go
Ronald Hisby
Pavel Matejka
1&1/8 Miles
01:48.1

TWINSPIRES HORSE RACING BETTING, ODDS & LIVE VIDEO

TwinSpires Horse Racing is a leading destination for legal wagering in the United States. TwinSpires' parent company, Churchill Downs — the home of the Kentucky Derby — has a 148-year history and has been a leader in betting since 1875.

The premier online betting experience of TwinSpires caters to several exciting industries, offering advance-deposit wagering for horse racing, live track video signals and more. It also offers mobile apps and easy-to-use desktop experiences that are always being improved.

TwinSpires strives to support racing fans of all levels; longtime racing fans, sharps, newcomers, and veterans alike. TwinSpires also benefits bettors with data-driven insights and rich offerings of educational content, handicapping, picks, analysis editorial, and strategies through all platforms.

Discover our offerings in global horse racing from the North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia! Whether you are seeking free picks and offers for today's horse racing, expert insight, or the variety of strategies involved with handicapping, we have you covered. Check out race tracks near you, now!