Colonial Downs Racetrack (10515 Colonial Downs Parkway, New Kent, Virginia) hosts the Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County on Saturday, March 14, 2026. This $500,000 stakes race (50-25-15-10-5 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points) is for 3-year-olds and is contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main dirt track as Race 9 on the 10-race Virginia Derby Day card. The scheduled post time is 5:10 PM ET (first post for the day is noon ET).
Expected weather conditions in New Kent call for a pleasant early-spring afternoon with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s°F (around 56-60°F / 13-16°C), light winds, and mostly clear to partly sunny skies with zero chance of precipitation. No rain is in the forecast, so the track condition should be fast—perfect for classic two-turn performances on Colonial Downs’ wide, expansive dirt surface.
A full field of 10 three-year-old colts (all carry 123 lbs.) lines up. No scratches reported. Morning-line odds are official from the program.
Here is the complete field with post positions, recent finishes, and in-depth analysis of each horse, jockey, and trainer:
Post Position 1: Buetane (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 5/2
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Bob Baffert (Hall of Famer with record six Kentucky Derby wins)
Pedigree: Tiz the Law – Taboo; owned by Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; bred by Merriebelle Stable, LLC. Recent finishes: 3rd in the Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn (career-best figures); 2nd in the San Vicente S. (G2) at Santa Anita; earlier maiden win and Hopeful S. (G1) placing. Analysis: The clear morning-line favorite and class of the field. Baffert has him razor-sharp for this key Derby prep, and Prat is the perfect big-race rider. Tactical speed, proven graded form, and elite connections make him the one to beat—he should stalk and pounce on the fast track.
Post Position 2: Grittiness (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 12/1
Jockey: Rajiv Maragh
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher (multiple Eclipse Award winner)
Pedigree: Curlin – Coach Rocks; owned by Repole Stable; bred by WinStar Farm, LLC. Recent finishes: 2nd in the Withers S. (listed) at Aqueduct. Analysis: Pletcher’s first string in a two-horse entry. Maragh fits the stalking style perfectly on Colonial’s wide turns. Solid recent figures and pedigree for the distance; live at 12/1 as a logical exacta leg with upside if he improves off the Withers.
Post Position 3: Epic Desire (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 15/1
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Pedigree: Uncle Mo – Brooklynsway; owned by Epic Horses, LLC. Recent finishes: Stepping up off allowance/optional claiming efforts with improving form. Analysis: Pletcher’s second shooter brings tactical versatility. Russell knows Colonial well. At 15/1 he’s a value longshot who could sit mid-pack and close; excellent underneath play in multi-race wagers.
Post Position 4: Work (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 20/1
Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez
Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill (2012 Kentucky Derby winner)
Pedigree: American Pharoah – With Mischief; owned by Calumet Farm. Recent finishes: Dominant maiden special weight win at Santa Anita (Feb. 18). Analysis: O’Neill spots horses for big days, and this American Pharoah colt has maiden brilliance. Sanchez will look for a clean trip from mid-pack. At 20/1 he’s a live longshot who could improve sharply stretching out; great value underneath.
Post Position 5: High Camp (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 9/2
Jockey: John R. Velazquez (three-time Derby winner)
Trainer: William Walden
Pedigree: Instagrand – Summer Silk; owned by OXO Equine, LLC. Recent finishes: Sharp allowance/optional claiming victory at Turfway Park (Feb. 7) with strong figures. Analysis: Velazquez upgrade is massive. Walden has him peaking, and the pedigree screams stamina for 1 1/8 miles. Forwardly placed or stalking style suits the track; major contender at 9/2 who could wire or sit just off the favorite.
Post Position 6: Lockstocknpharoah (3/G, 123 lbs) – ML 5/1
Jockey: Edgar Morales
Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr.
Pedigree: American Pharoah – Lockstep; owned by Let It Ride Equine Holdings III, LLC. Recent finishes: Consistent stakes-level efforts with solid closing kick. Analysis: American Pharoah gelding with distance pedigree. Drury knows how to have them ready, and Morales rides aggressively. Mid-pack closer who could outkick late at 5/1; strong trifecta filler with upside on fast dirt.Post Position 7: Incredibolt (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 10/1
Jockey: Jaime A. Torres
Trainer: Riley Mott
Pedigree: Bolt d’Oro – Sapphire Spitfire; owned by Pin Oak Stud, LLC. Recent finishes: 6th in the Holy Bull S. (G3) after a strong Street Sense S. (G3) win at Churchill Downs. Analysis: Mott barn is live, and Torres is a rising star. Blinkers or equipment tweaks possible; needs a bounce-back but has the class and figures to contend at 10/1. Live longshot who could improve with the trip.
Post Position 8: Confessional (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 4/1Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Trainer: Brad H. Cox (2021 Derby winner)
Pedigree: Essential Quality – Speedy Vanessa; owned by Steve Landers Racing, LLC. Recent finishes: 5th in the Sam F. Davis S. (listed) at Tampa (blinkers added for this race). Analysis: Cox/Ortiz Jr. combo is lethal. Fresh blinkers and class edge make this a dangerous second choice. Tactical speed and proven ability to rate; the main danger to Buetane at 4/1.
Post Position 9: Ocelli (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 15/1
Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Pedigree: Connect – Zalia; owned by Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, LLC. Recent finishes: Improving allowance efforts. Analysis: Beckman spots horses sharply. Ramos rides the meet well. Outside post is fine on this wide track; stalker/closer at 15/1 who could surprise in a pace meltdown.
Post Position 10: Clocker Special (3/C, 123 lbs) – ML 8/1
Jockey: Cristian A. Torres
Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset
Pedigree: Not This Time – Chiding; owned by Storyteller Racing et al. Recent finishes: Solid recent stakes placings with good figures. Analysis: Brisset and Torres form a dangerous team. Tactical versatility and closing style from the outside; at 8/1 he offers excellent value as a top contender who could stalk and finish strongly.
Overall race preview and key angles: This loaded 50-point Kentucky Derby qualifier features superstar trainers (Baffert, Pletcher x2, Cox) and jockeys on a fast Colonial Downs mile-and-an-eighth. Buetane (PP 1, 5/2) is the deserving favorite on graded stakes form and connections, but Confessional (PP 8, 4/1) and High Camp (PP 5, 9/2) are right there with elite upside. Expect an honest pace with High Camp or Buetane involved early, setting up closers like Lockstocknpharoah or Incredibolt.
