Virginia
Colonial Downs to host Claiming Crown qualifying day
Colonial Downs will host an August day of racing in which the races are automatic qualifying races for November’s Claiming Crown.
Midlantic-breds to tackle Wood Memorial, other Big A stakes
Horses bred in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania will tackle Saturday’s Wood Memorial, Carter, and other Aqueduct stakes.
Paths converge, split for Omaha Omaha, Studlydoright
A pair of Maryland-based sophs, Omaha Omaha and Studlydoright, saw their Triple Crown paths converge two weeks ago before splitting again.
Well-executed gameplan leads to American Promise win
The way the Virginia Derby unfolded was exactly to the plan mapped out by American Promise’s trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Derby Trail: Where we stand after Virginia Derby
Where do we stand following on the Derby trail following Saturday’s Virginia Derby? Here’s what we learned.
American Promise dazzles in Virginia Derby
D. Wayne Lukas has himself another Kentucky Derby horse, as the suddenly mature American Promise blitzed the field in the Virginia Derby.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks March 15, 2025
The oldest and best handicapping source for Colonial Downs returns for 2025 — it’s Nick’s Picks, and it’s back!
Colonial: Book’em Danno returns a winner in Boston
Grade 1-winning millionaire Book’em Danno kicked off his 4-year-old season with a near-track-record win in the Boston Handicap at Colonial Downs.
VIDEO: Previewing the Virginia Derby
Saturday’s Virginia Derby is a 50-points-to-the-winner race on the Kentucky Derby trail! Our handicappers preview it.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks March 14, 2025
The oldest and best handicapping source for Colonial Downs returns for 2025 — it’s Nick’s Picks, and it’s back!
Virginia Oaks: You’ll Be Back seeks breakthrough win
Stakes-placed in each of her last two starts, You’ll Be Back, will seek her first stakes win for trainer Tom Amoss in Saturday’s Virginia Oaks.
Nick’s Picks: Colonial Downs picks March 13, 2025
The oldest and best handicapping source for Colonial Downs returns for 2025 — it’s Nick’s Picks, and it’s back!
Virginia Derby: Blinkers on for Render Judgment
The Ken McPeek-trained Render Judgment will tackle Saturday’s Virginia Derby with blinkers added and adjusted shoeing.
Virginia Derby: No walkover but Amoss hopes for Authentic upset
If Tom Amoss isn’t nervous during Authentic Gallop’s Virginia Derby, it may be because he’s already suffered enough Colonial Downs-related anxiety.
Virginia Oaks: Icona Mama doing “really well”
Icona Mama had a sharp breeze March 7 and is doing “really well” ahead of a scheduled start in Saturday’s Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.
Virginia Derby: Lukas hopes American Promise ready to deliver
Octogenarian trainer D. Wayne Lukas hopes formerly “big, awkward teenager” American Promise is ready to step forward in Saturday’s Virginia Derby.
Getaway Car favored in Virginia Derby
The Bob Baffert-trained Sunland Derby winner Getaway Car has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Virgina Derby.
Gowells Delight installed as Virginia Oaks favorite
Gowells Delight, second in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra last time out, is the 3-1 morning line favorite in upcoming Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs.
Not your father’s Virginia Derby – or Derby prep
The March 15 Virginia Derby is a bit of a different beast, both from what the Virginia Derby has been and from other Kentucky Derby preps.
“The best time of year” as Derby fever hits New Kent
We visit with announcer Travis Stone, who calls it “the best time of year,” as for the first time, the road to the Kentucky Derby runs through New Kent.
