The 2026 Kentucky Derby is approaching in 49 days, with the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs serving as a crucial prep race offering significant qualifying points (50-25-15-10-5) to the top five finishers. This race, now in its second year as a Derby points event after Colonial Downs came under Churchill Downs’ ownership, features a competitive field of 10 three-year-olds, including Bob Baffert’s Buetane, the only stakes winner Incredibolt, and Todd Pletcher’s duo Grittiness and Epic Desire. The Virginia Derby’s timing and distance make it a potentially major stepping stone for Derby hopefuls, with past winners like American Promise having set track records and made it to the Derby gate.
Among the contenders, Buetane is the morning line favorite after a solid third-place finish in the Southwest Stakes, while Incredibolt could rebound from a disappointing Holy Bull Stakes run if he returns to his strong fall form. Other notable entries include High Camp, who could follow an ambitious Derby path if victorious, and Lockstocknpharoah, a recent allowance winner. The race will be broadcast on FanDuel TV, and expert handicappers suggest the Virginia Derby could reveal emerging Kentucky Derby contenders and influence betting odds ahead of the big race.
