A grass stakes-laden program Saturday will bring down the curtain on the 2024 Colonial Downs meet as well as the turf era for the day’s featured event, the $500,000 Virginia Derby (G3).
First run in 1998, the Virginia Derby has been held exclusively on grass and has been won by such champions as Kitten’s Joy, English Channel, and Gio Ponti. Last month it was announced by Colonial Downs’ parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., that the Virginia Derby would be moved to dirt beginning in 2025 and incorporated into the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
The 2025 Virginia Derby is scheduled for March 15 and will anchor a brief, four-day meet. The traditional Colonial meet will expand to 47 days next summer.
A dozen three-year-olds were entered for the final turf renewal over nine furlongs. Gotham (G3) winner Deterministic, second in the Manila (G3) and third in the Saratoga Derby (G1) in his first two grass attempts, figures to be among the betting favorites.
Others likely to attract play include Desvio, last-out winner of the Kent S. at Delaware Park; Fulmineo and Zverev, both of whom exit subpar runs against stakes foes at Saratoga; Grade 1-placed stakes winner Grand Mo the First, and undefeated stakes newcomer Herchee.
The $250,000 Virginia Oaks likewise will have its last edition on the turf Saturday and will be run next March as a new Road to the Kentucky Oaks prep. Potential threats in the 1 1/8-mile fixture include the stakes-placed Style Points, Distorted d’Oro, Kalispera, and Belle of Rights. Jumping up into stakes company off recent overnight successes are Oncourtcommentator and Deep Satin.
The $150,000 Colonial Cup, a 1 1/2-mile event for older horses, has attracted Grade 2 veteran Webslinger and McLovin, who finished third in the 2023 renewal. Adding intrigue is the hurdler L’Imperator, who captured the inaugural Beverly R. Steinman (G1) at Aqueduct in June.
Dream Shake and Determined Kingdom are horses for the course to consider in the $150,000 Da Hoss S., a 5 1/2-furlong sprint. Others entering in good form include Nothing Better, Sweet Cherry Pie, and the three-year-old upstart Run Carson.
Trainer Graham Motion saddles for his U.S. debut Isivunguvungu, one of South Africa’s top sprinters in recent seasons. The veteran gelding has Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) aspirations.
Governor Sam is the likely favorite in the $125,000 Rosie’s S., a 5 1/2-furlong dash for two-year-olds, while longer-winded juveniles will get their turn in the $125,000 Kitten’s Joy S. at 1 1/16 miles.
