2012 Virginia Derby

About

The $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) is the richest and most important race on the Virginia racing calendar. In addition to being one of the largest social events in Virginia it also annually attracts the best 3-year-old turf horses, jockeys and trainers in the nation, including two champions and three Breeders' Cup winners in just the last five years! Over 10,000 racing fans packed the track for the 2011 Virginia Derby!

Parties start at 4 PM — Post time is 6 PM

Enjoy the 15th running of the $600,000 Virginia Derby in Colonial Downs’ all-inclusive Trackside Party Zone.

$30 Trackside Party Zone ticket (advance purchase, $40 at the gate) includes Track & Party Zone admission, a program, tip sheet, deluxe BBQ dinner, 3 beer/wine tickets, live music on the concert stage with the HonkyTonk Heroes, a disc jockey spinning between races, a commemorative Derby t-shirt, a come back admission pass & more!

$200 Trackside Party Zone Reserved Table (Seated) (advance purchase, ticket cannot be split up for less than a 4 person group) 4 person table includes Track & Party Zone admission, a program, tip sheet, deluxe BBQ dinner, 3 beer/wine tickets, live music on the concert stage with the HonkyTonk Heroes, a disc jockey spinning between races, a commemorative Derby t-shirt, a come back admission pass & more!

***Early Bird Special – Save $5 per Party Zone ticket or $20 per reserved table if you purchase by April 15!

Tickets are now available online. Click here to purchase

$10 “Hoot on the Hill” ticket (advance purchase, $20 at the gate) includes track admission & access to the first turn BYOB area. Party with the Richmond Ski Club, Hooters girls and enjoy live “yacht rock” music all evening with Three Sheets to the Wind. Bring your own pop up tents, portable chairs, grills, coolers, food & alcoholic beverages! We’ll have a giant betting tent set up, port-a-johns and a mini-jumbotron to see racing action.

***Early Bird Special – Save $5 per "Hoot on the Hill" ticket if you purchase by April 15!

Tickets are now available online. Click here to purchase

For group outing or sponsor opportunities in the "Hoot" area email advisor@richmondskiclub.org or call 804.543.9088.
Click here to view a PDF with more details.

Air Support Wins the 14 Virginia Derby By a Neck Over Banned

July 16, 2011

(NEW KENT, VA — 7/16/11) — Air Support nosed out Banned after the two waged a thrilling stretch duel over the Secretariat Turf Course in Saturday’s 14th running of the $600,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) at Colonial Downs. A field of twelve went postward in the 1¼ mile stakes.

Favored Street Game led from the start under the direction of three time Virginia Derby winning jockey Edgar Prado. The Street Cry colt, who dominated in the Grade III Hill Prince Stakes last month at Belmont, led through the mile, and took a one half length lead into the stretch. Air Support and Banned, third and fourth at that point, both passed Casino Host and the frontrunner, then thrilled a crowd that included Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery with a great finish.

When Air Support crossed a neck better than Banned in 2:00.80, he gained a  bit of revenge on Street Game. The Smart Strike colt was second to Street Game in the Hill Prince Stakes, but he reversed fortunes Saturday and was seven lengths better in Virginia’s Derby. He paid $15.60 to win.

“I always thought my horse needed more ground,” said Air Support’s owner Stuart Janney. “We’ve been pointing to this race all year because it’s the right distance. Alex (Solis) moved him up nicely in the field and put in him perfect position heading for home.”

Looking forward, Janney spoke of his horse’s next move. “There’s nice stakes both in Arlington and at Saratoga, so we’ll see how he comes out of this race and make a decision. I know the Virginia Derby is a Grade II race but you’d think it was a Grade I based on the horses that entered.”

With the win, Air Support is now 4-of-7 on turf and has earnings on grass of over $575,000. The Kentucky-bred is trained by Claude McGaughey, who was shipping his stable into Saratoga Saturday and didn’t make the trip to Colonial.

There were four other stakes on the Derby Day under card. In the Grade III Virginia Oaks, Excited scored a half length win over Summer Savory in the 1 1/8 test for sophomore fillies. Jockey John Velazquez directed the victorious effort for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Michael Tabor. Excited stayed in third throughout while Wyomia and Mystical Star battled early on. Wyomia hung on for third, a length behind the winner.  

In the $50,000 Kitten’s Joy stakes, Action Andy gave Ashland, Virginia based trainer Stephanie Nixon her first stakes win ever in the fifteen years she has been conditioning horses. “To win it at Colonial makes it even more special,” said Nixon, who has a 23 horse stable at New Kent. “I’m so excited, I don’t what to do.”

Both of the $50,000 two year old stakes were decided by a head. Softly Lit won the Tippett for fillies while Major Magic captured the Chenery. Softly Lit’s win gave trainer Dane Kobiskie a share of the leading trainer honors with Michael Pino.

Virginia Derby Past Winners

Virginia Derby Records