Virginia Aims to Move Graded Stakes to Laurel
While some details still need to be worked out, racing leaders in Virginia hope to offer the state's four graded stakes in Maryland at Laurel Park this year.
Virginia Derby
Race 11 at Colonial Downs on
- One And One Fourth Miles
- 750000
- News
- Contenders
Colonial Downs to Close its ADW Operation
Although other advance-deposit wagering options in Virginia remain, Colonial Downs announced April 7 that it will immediately shut down its EZ Horseplay ADW site.
First Winner for Oklahoma Sire Affirmatif
V B and Me became the first reported winner for Oklahoma sire Affirmatif when the 2-year-old romped by 5 3/4 lengths in his debut against maidens the evening of Sept. 12 at Remington Park.
Rosalind Works Toward Kentucky Oaks
Landaluce Educe Stables' Rosalind, dead-heat winner with Room Service of the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, worked five furlongs in :58 4/5 over the Lexington oval's Polytrack April 19.
Affirmatif Moves to Caines Stallion Station
Stakes-winning stallion Affirmatif will join the sire roster at Caines Stallion Station near Wynnewood, Okla., for 2014, the farm announced Oct. 11.
War Dancer Gets Bob in Virginia Derby Photo
War Dancer got the bob in a three-way photo finish July 13 at Colonial Downs, overpowering hard-running Charming Kitten and staving off the late-flying Jack Milton to get victory in the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT).
THS: Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby
Frank Angst and Claire Novak handicap the Man o' War Stakes and Virginia Derby. Both seem to think the Virginia Derby will be a very telling and exciting race to watch. Can the Kittens finish 1-2-3? watch video
Field of Ten Set for July 13 Virginia Derby
The 16th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) July 13 at Colonial Downs brings together a varied field of competitors, and quite a few of them share the same bloodlines.
Colonial Downs Begins Meet With Full Fields
Colonial Downs kicks off its 2013 meet June 8 with full fields for turf racing and three steeplechase events highlighted by the grade III David L. "Zeke" Ferguson Memorial Stakes.
Slim Shadey in Comfort Zone for Whittingham
Slim Shadey returns to his favorite distance of 10 furlongs as the 122-pound highweight in the $200,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) on the turf June 8 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Sky Kingdom Tries Turf in San Juan Capistrano
Sky Kingdom showed his staying ability with an easy win in the Tokyo City Cup last month, so now's the time to find out if he can transfer that same success to the turf in the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap April 21.
Colonial Downs to Offer 16 Stakes in 2013
Colonial Downs will offer $1,755,000 in purse money for its 16 stakes in 2013. The meet is highlighted by the 16th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT).
Colonial Downs to Hold 25-Day Meet in 2013
Colonial Downs will host a 25-day spring/summer Thoroughbred meet in 2013 from June 8 through July 13 after approval from the Virginia Racing Commission Nov. 7.
Silver Max: A Monster on Turf
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
While the leading dirt runners of the 3-year-old division have fallen by the wayside, Silver Max steadily has been establishing dominance of the second-season runners on the turf.
Sterling Show by Silver Max in Virginia Derby
It didn't go as smoothly as planned but odds-on choice Silver Max got the job done anyway in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), registering his sixth consecutive turf win on yielding ground at Colonial Downs July 21.
Summer Front Skipping Virginia Derby
Waterford Stable's Summer Front will run in the $100,000 Duluth Stakes at Saratoga July 22 rather than travel to Colonial Downs for the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) a day earlier, according to trainer Christophe Clement.
Weekend handicapping 7-20 to 7-23
- By Pete Denk
Finnegans Wake looks live in Va. Derby. read blog
THS: Delaware Handicap
- By Tom LaMarra
Tom and Pete handicap the Delaware Handicap and Virginia Derby. watch video
THS: Delaware Handicap 2012
Tom and Pete handicap the Delaware Handicap and Virginia Derby. Download Brisnet Past Performances for the Delaware Handicap
Silver Max's Streak On Line in Virginia Derby
Silver Max puts a five-race winning streak on the line as the 123-pound high weight July 21 in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), the showcase event of the summer meet at Colonial Downs.
Pender Harbour One to Beat in Dominion Day
Pender Harbour, Canada's champion 3-year-old male of 2011, will try to make it two straight when he takes on five rivals in the Dominion Day Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine July 1.
Augustin's Smart Bid First Choice in Dixie
One race before trainer Graham Motion saddles Went the Day Well in the May 19 Preakness (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course, he will send out Augustin Stables' Smart Bid, the 7-2 overnight favorite in the Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).
Straight Story in Big Upset in Autumn Stakes
Richard Santulli's Straight Story, at 38-1 the longest price in a 10-horse field, made his synthetic surface debut a winning one when he captured the $150,000 Autumn Stakes (Can-II) at Woodbine Nov. 12.
Air Support Blows Virginia Derby Foes Away
Air Support, coming from the clouds, surged past 20-1 shot Casino Host in deep stretch to capture the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) by a neck over the closing Banned on the turf at Colonial Downs July 16.
Banned One to Beat in Virginia Derby
Banned, who has prospered after being switched to grass racing after just one start on the main track, heads a field of 12 in the 14th running of the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) Saturday, July 16.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmatif | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
| El Crespo | George R. Arnold, II |
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| Florentino (JPN) | Kiaran P. McLaughlin |
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| Lime Rickey | William Spawr |
|
| Safety Valve | Rodney Jenkins |
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| Straight Story | Alan E. Goldberg |
|
| Take the Points | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
Upcoming Stakes Entries
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| O.D. McDonald S. | ALB | |
| Wild Applause S. | BEL | |
| Chicago H. (G3) | CD | |
| River Rock Casino H. | HST | |
| Edward Evans S. | LRL |
