Colonial Downs Racetrack (10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, Virginia) hosts the Virginia Oaks Presented by New Kent County on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This $250,000 stakes race (50-25-15-10-5 Road to the Kentucky Oaks points) is for 3-year-old fillies and is run at 1 1/16 miles on the main dirt track as Race 8 on Virginia Derby Day. The scheduled post time is 4:25 PM ET.
equibase.com
Expected weather conditions in New Kent call for a mild early-spring afternoon with a high near 65°F (18°C) and lows around 43°F, light winds, and partly cloudy skies with no precipitation forecast. The track condition should be fast—ideal for classic one-turn-mile performances on Colonial Downs’ wide, sweeping dirt surface.
A compact but high-quality field of six 3-year-old fillies lines up (122 lbs. base weight). No scratches reported. Morning-line odds are official.
Here is the full field with post positions, recent finishes, and in-depth analysis of each horse, jockey, and trainer:
Post Position 1: Dazzling Dame (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 5/2
Jockey: Jevian Toledo
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell (hot local barn with strong mid-Atlantic form)
Pedigree: Girvin – Awesome Dama (by Awesome Again). Recent finishes: Dominant 11-length romp in the Busanda S. in her 2026 seasonal debut; three prior stakes victories with combined winning margins of 21 lengths and four career wins overall. Never off the board in stakes company.
Analysis: Russell has this filly razor-sharp, and Toledo knows her perfectly. Tactical speed from the rail plus proven stakes dominance make her a major threat. She’s the logical second choice and could wire or stalk on a fast track. Live every step.
Post Position 2: Hit Parade (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 3/1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (elite stakes conditioner)
Pedigree: Street Sense – Wedding (by Street Cry). Recent finishes: Victorious in the Untapable S.; consistent graded-stakes level performer with strong closing kick.
Analysis: Cox/Ortiz Jr. is one of the most dangerous combinations in racing. She has the pedigree and running style to sit just off the pace and pounce in the stretch. The 3/1 price offers excellent value; a must-use in all multi-race wagers and a prime exacta partner.
Post Position 3: Bottle of Rouge (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 6/5
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Bob Baffert (Hall of Famer with multiple Triple Crown winners)
Pedigree: Vino Rosso – (recent Grade 1 caliber performer). Recent finishes: Tenacious victory in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks (Feb. 15, 2026); multiple graded stakes placings and wins that solidify her as one of the top 3-year-old fillies nationally.
Analysis: The clear morning-line favorite and class of the race. Baffert has her at peak, and Prat’s big-race riding is elite. She has proven ability to rate and finish strongly at this exact trip. The one to beat—expect her to sit mid-pack and deliver a powerful late kick on the fast dirt.
Post Position 4: Kadabra (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 6/1
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (multiple Eclipse Award winner)
Pedigree: Not detailed in program; Pletcher-trained with strong allowance/stakes background. Recent finishes: Stepping up off solid allowance/optional claiming efforts and earlier stakes placings. Analysis: Pletcher/Velazquez is a proven big-day tandem. She brings tactical versatility and should appreciate the one-turn mile. At 6/1 she’s a live longshot who could improve with the class drop or perfect trip; excellent underneath play in exactas and trifectas.
Post Position 5: SomemunnytoLove (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 20/1
Jockey: Julio Hernandez
Trainer: Flint W. Stites (capable smaller barn)
Pedigree: Not detailed. Recent finishes: Coming off allowance company; longshot with improving form. Analysis: Stites spots her for value spots, and Hernandez rides aggressively. She’ll need the pace to collapse but has the price to make noise underneath at 20/1. Live longshot for deeper tickets.
Post Position 6: Baffle (3/F, 122 lbs) – ML 10/1
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Pedigree: Not detailed. Recent finishes: Consistent placer stepping into stakes company; Pletcher second-stringer with upside. Analysis: Another Pletcher runner with the trainer’s trademark sharp placement. Maragh knows how to get the most out of outside posts on this wide track. At 10/1 she offers solid value as a mid-pack stalker/closer; strong trifecta filler.
Overall race preview and key angles: This Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier features elite connections (Baffert, Cox, Pletcher, Russell) and a sharp pace setup. Bottle of Rouge (PP 3, 6/5) is the deserving favorite on recent graded success and star power, but Dazzling Dame (PP 1, 5/2) brings explosive recent form and local sharpness. Hit Parade (PP 2) rounds out the top trio with big upside. Expect an honest pace with Dazzling Dame or Hit Parade involved early, setting up late runners like Bottle of Rouge.
