Last Chance for the Derby

The starting gate for the May 3 Kentucky Derby is almost filled but several late developing 3-year-olds seeking to crash the party will meet in Saturday’s $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland.  A Lexington win would virtually ensure enough graded stakes earnings to make it into the 20-horse field and a place or show could cement a spot for a horse on the bubble.
Tomcito would be a fascinating Derby horse but the Street Cry colt is currently on the outside looking in, ranking 27th on the graded stakes earning list. 

Tomcito won the Peruvian Derby, beating older horses last year as a 2-year-old and is the only Derby contender with wins at not only the Kentucky Derby’s 1¼-miles but also at the demanding 1½-miles distance.  Tomcito’s lone stateside start was a late-running third behind Derby favorite Big Brown in the Florida Derby.

Tomcito’s main threats figure to come from Salute the Sarge and Atoned.
Salute the Sarge was one of California’s top 2-year-olds last season with wins in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) and Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) and was second in both the Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) and Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) before suffering an ankle injury in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.  Salute the Sarge got a late start on his 3-year-old campaign but he returned with a scintillating late charge to victory in the San Miguel Stakes and is a proven synthetic track runner.

Atoned will try to live up to his name two weeks after running a dull fourth in the Illinois Derby (gr. II).  The Repent colt had lost two straight Grade II stakes by a scant neck before spinning his wheels at Hawthorne.  An Atoned victory would give trainer Todd Pletcher a fitting follow-up to his sweep of the Blue Grass with 1-2 finishers Monba and Cowboy Cal last Saturday at Keeneland.

You can bet these, along with all the other great stakes this weekend at Colonial Downs OTB's or at EZHorseplay.com.

More Great Pay-Per-Views coming to Vinton and Martinsville

Ultimate Fighting Championship Pay-Per-View returns to Vinton on Saturday April 19 with the welterweight championship rematch between Matt “The Terror” Serra and Georges “Rush” St. Pierre highlighting the card.  The fights start at 10 PM!

See WWE’s Backlash live at the Martinsville OTB on Sunday April 27 at 8 PM!  Backlash features a 4-way title bout between Randy Orton, Triple H, John Cena and JBL.  Come early for the $1 million California Gold Rush stakes festival starting at 4 PM at Hollywood Park. 

Win a Flat Screen TV April 26

Colonial Downs is giving away a flat screen TV at all nine of its OTB’s on Saturday April 26.  The drawing will be held at 5:00 PM at each site and includes Virginia Derby Trackside Party and Virginia Derby Picnic on the Turn tickets as secondary prizes. 

The drawing is exclusively for Players Reward Club members.  If you’re not a member yet, sign up for free at any Colonial Downs OTB in time to win your flat screen TV and start earning points for cash back each quarter!

Early Opening for Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days

Colonial Downs OTB’s will all open early for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks festivities.  They will open at 10:30 AM on May 2 for the special Kentucky Oaks card at Churchill Downs that also includes advance betting on the entire Kentucky Derby card.  First post at Churchill is 11 AM. 

The OTB’s will open at 10AM on May 3 for Kentucky Derby Day itself.  First post from Churchill is 11 AM with the Derby itself scheduled for around 6 PM. 

You can also enjoy the Kentucky Derby in comfort at Colonial Downs racetrack.  Gates open at 10:30 AM at the track.

Get a Jockey Club table with a TV, Churchill Downs program and a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass for just $15! 

Derby Day at the racetrack also features the Eastern Alpaca Derby Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the track.

Call (804) 966-7223, ext. 1032 for reservations.

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