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AND, WE’RE OFF TO THE RACES
AND, WE’RE OFF TO THE RACES
Pending approval from the Virginia Racing Commission, The Virginia Derby and the Virginia Oaks will be run on March 15th at Colonial Downs in New Kent. These prestigious races have recently been selected by Churchill Downs Inc to be qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks to take place in Kentucky.
There will be 36 races leading up to the Saturday, May 3, 2025 Kentucky Derby for three- year-old colts and Kentucky Oaks for three-year-old fillies which will determine the qualfying list for the finals at Churchill on Friday, May 2, 2025.
“Having the Road to the Kentucky Derby run through Virginia is just another testament to the importance of the horse industry in the Commonwealth and the history of many great horses, such as Secretariat, who were born in Virginia. This is a very exciting time for horse racing in our state, “ Jill Byrne, Vice President Virginia Equine Alliance noted.
During a special meeting at Colonial Downs, the Virginia Derby–occupying a spot on the racing calendar that was previously void of any qualifying races on Saturday, Mar. 15–is the latest addition to the schedule. The race will award 105 points to the top five finishers including 50 points to the winner. At the conclusion of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse field.
Throughout the qualifying stages there are races around the United States. And, there are also races for potential European and Middle East based horses and entries from Japan. Two additional rule changes have been instituted. In the event a Championship Series race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks is run with a five-horse field, only 75% of the points will be proportionally awarded. A Championship Series race field with four or less horses will be proportionally awarded 50% of the total points.
