The Grade 3 Virginia Derby gets a new spring home and new dirt surface in 2025, but not before the 1-1/8 miles turf test brings together the Class of ’24 at Colonial Downs as it has since 1989. Past winners here include eventual Eclipse Award turf champions like Kitten’s Joy, English Channel and Gio Ponti.
Let’s meet the contenders for the Virginia Derby (Race 10):
#1-HERCHEE: Most lightly raced member of this year’s Virginia Derby has won both starts to date in Kentucky. Capensis won this race in 2022 coming off only a maiden and allowance race on his resume like this son of Twirling Candy. Veteran horsewoman Helen Pitts, who can become the first female trainer to win the Virginia Derby, has had success this year with a limited stable and turns once again to jockey Edgar Morales.
#2-GRAND MO THE FIRST: Third-place finisher in the Florida Derby, Tampa Bay Derby and Swale on dirt this spring, the Kentucky Derby 18th-place finisher got his first turf win August 3 at Gulfstream. Bears Den Stakes victory was his first start since May and first on turf since running third in the Zuma Beach last fall at Santa Anita. Jockey Paco Lopez takes the call for Victor Barboza Jr. as regular rider Emisael Jaramillo stays at Gulfstream for the Florida Sire Stakes series.
#3-DETERMINISTIC (pictured above): Grade 3 Gotham winner has lost 4 straight, but took to the turf with minor placings in the Grade 3 Manila and Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational, the latter 27 days ago. Manny Franco piloted 2016 Virginia Derby winner Deeply Undervalued, and he takes over for regular rider Joel Rosario, who will be riding at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. Christophe Clement won this race in 2008 with rising star Gio Ponti.
#4-IZZY D’ORO: Pacesetter in his last 3 starts, he faded to finish out of the money in the Tale of the Cat and the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational after wiring allowance runners at Keeneland. Longshot is 1-for-6 on turf lifetime and will be ridden for the first time by David Cohen. Trainer Blake Kelly seeks his first graded stakes victory.
#5-FRONTLINE WARRIOR: Trainer Shug McGaughey won last year’s Virginia Derby with Integration (and in 2011 with Air Support). War Front colt is just 1-for-7 and has lost 4 straight, finishing out of the money in 3 stakes. Vince Cheminaud rode last time in a fifth-place Kent Stakes try at Delaware Park and returns in the saddle.
#6-IN A JAM: Winner of Gulfstream’s Not Surprising Stakes on the Tapeta synthetic surface, this one followed with consecutive Colonial turf efforts of some interest. He ran fourth in the listed Boston Stakes and then third in the Grade 2 Secretariat, both over a 1-mile trip. Extends to the longest distance of his career for trainer Mark Casse, who conditioned last year’s Grade 1 Beverly D. at Colonial winner Fev Rover.
#7-DESVIO: Delaware Park’s 9-1 upset winner of the Kent Stakes eyes a third consecutive grass victory. Trainer Madison Meyers goes back to jockey Ben Curtis, who guided this Yoshida colt last time out. Meyers, who got her first flat victory in 2020 after conditioning steeplechase runners, has posted her first double-digit flat win season in 2024 and hails from Virginia’s Middleburg Training Center.
#8-MASSIF: Trainer Brittany Russell and husband / jockey Sheldon team up with last year’s Laurel Futurity runner-up. Sky Mesa colt has plenty of local experience with a maiden and allowance victory at Colonial among 5 trips to the post. Deep closer will need some pace help. He was fourth on the Preakness undercard in the James W. Murphy Stakes, his only start above the allowance ranks in 2024.
#9-ECHO LANE: Florida-based colt arrived at Colonial in August for trainer Rohan Cricthon and since scored a starter allowance victory vs. older horses. Returns to 3-year-olds in the Virginia Derby, but has not finished in the money in 3 prior starts starts. Treasure Beach colt’s 4 victories are most among the field. Jockey Antonio Gallardo rides again (also rode In A Jam last time).
#10-OSCAR’S WORLD: Grandson of 2004 Virginia Derby winner Kitten’s Joy seeks his first stakes victory, owning maiden and allowance scores at Gulfstream and Ellis Park. Trainer Brian Lynch goes back to jockey Martin Garcia. Set the pace and gave way late over the Virginia Derby’s 9-furlong trip last out in the Dueling Grounds Derby Preview at Ellis. Has run nearly all his best races with Lasix, which will not be available in this spot.
#11-FULMINEO: Two-time stakes winner of Pimlico’s James W. Murphy and Colonial’s Boston, the Arnaud Delacour trainee looks to run his local unbeaten streak to 3-for-3. Bolt d’Oro colt disappointed last out when a tired sixth in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational, but should appreciate a slightly shorter trip Saturday and softer competition. Victor Carrasco reunites in the saddle; he rode him to victory in his maiden breaker here last September.
#12-ZVEREV: Another grandson of 2004 Virginia Derby winner Kitten’s Joy in this lineup (along with Oscar’s World), he’ll look to bounce back from a sixth-place finish in Saratoga’s Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes last month. Owns victories on the Tapeta synthetic surface at Turfway and on the turf at Churchill Downs in maiden and allowance company, respectively. Trainer Cherie DeVaus is enjoying her best season in 2024 and will turn to jockey Jorge Ruiz for the first time as Jose Ortiz rides Kentucky Downs instead on Saturday.
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