Colonial Downs releases spring condition book
Press Release
January 5, 2026
Colonial Downs racing secretary Dan Bork has released the condition book for its 2026 three-day spring meeting which runs from Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14. The meet is highlighted by the $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks on March 14, which are points races on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and “Road to the Kentucky Oaks,” respectively.
The Virginia Derby is carded at 1-1/8 miles on the dirt and the Virginia Oaks will be contested at 1-1/16 miles on the dirt. Each race offers 50 points to its winner while the next four finishers will receive 25, 15, 10 and 5 points on a sliding scale toward the appropriate race.
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American Promise and Render Judgement, the top two finishers in the 2025 Virginia Derby went on to participate in Kentucky Derby 151. In addition, the 1-2 finishers from the 2025 Virginia Oaks, Fondly and Early On, both started in Kentucky Oaks 151.
While the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks are expected to attract top 3-year-olds from across the country, an expanded handicap and stakes schedule for both Virginia-restricted and open runners have been added to the 2026 spring schedule.
Two $100,000 open company one-mile stakes races for older runners have been added to the Virginia Derby day undercard, the Sandy Bottom for fillies and mares and the open Royal New Kent.
Returning for this year are two overnight handicaps for Virginia-restricted runners: the $150,000 Stellar Wind, a six-furlong dash for older fillies and mares and the $150,000 Boston, a seven-furlong race for older horses headlining the Friday, March 13 card. The 2025 Boston was won by multiple G1 stakes winner Book’em Danno.
The $100,000 Golden Horseshoe Handicap, a 1-3/8 miles marathon for older horses, tops the opening day Thursday, March 12 card.
Nominations for all stakes and handicap races will close Wednesday, February 25 with entries being taken one week prior to the run date.
Maiden Special Weight races will go for $75,000 for open runners and $93,750 for Virginia-restricted horses. A first-level allowance race carries an $80,000 purse and the Virginia-restricted version is worth $100,000.
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