Kentucky Derby Update: The Derby Dispatch for Thursday, March 13, 2025

Mar 13, 2025 Kevin Kerstein

Brisnet Past Performances:

Virginia Derby: https://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/VADerby25.pdf

Kentucky Derby Future Wager: https://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Derby25Future5.pdf

Kentucky Oaks Future Wager: https://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Oaks25Future1.pdf

 

Inside the Kentucky Derby Podcast: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/inside-the-kentucky-derby-virginia-derby-preview/

 

VIRGINIA DERBY JOINS THE ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, March 13, 2025) – Seven weeks remain until the first Saturday in May, and the path to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby continues with a new stop on the trail. Saturday’s $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs marks the first Derby qualifying race in Virginia, offering valuable points toward a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs.

Last week, Owen Almighty entered the Derby picture with his victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (GIII). Trainer Brian Lynch initially viewed the race as a prep for the Pat Day Mile (GII) on Derby Day, but now his team may be thinking bigger as Derby dreams come into focus.

With each passing race, the Kentucky Derby picture comes into sharper focus.

SUNLAND DERBY WINNER GETAWAY CAR LEADS FIELD IN $500,000 VIRGINIA DERBY – Sunland Derby winner Getaway Car is set to invade the Old Dominion from his Southern California base and headline Saturday’s $500,000 Virginia Derby, the first-ever Kentucky Derby qualifying race at Colonial Downs.

The centerpiece of a special three-day meet beginning Thursday, the 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby will be held alongside the $250,000 Virginia Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles. The winner of the Virginia Derby will receive 50 qualifying points toward the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI). The second- through fifth-place finishers will earn 25-15-10-5 points on a sliding scale.

First post for Saturday’s 10-race card is noon (all times Eastern). The Virginia Derby is scheduled as Race 9 at 5:10 p.m., with the Virginia Oaks set one race prior at 4:25 p.m.

Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan, Getaway Car has already amassed 36 Derby qualifying points. Making his sophomore debut last out in the Sunland Derby, the front-running Curlin colt was headed by Caldera at the top of the stretch but battled back to win by a bob at the wire. Installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite, Getaway Car drew post No. 6 and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer Brad Cox entered two colts in the Virginia Derby, but only Rapture is expected to run. Owned by CHC & WinStar Farm, Rapture will be reunited with Flavien Prat, who guided the Uncle Mo colt to a 6 ½-length maiden-breaking score at Oaklawn Park. John Hancock, who was listed as the 3-1 second choice in the morning line, will instead be rerouted to the Louisiana Derby (GII), according to Cox.

Coming off a year in which he saddled both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks winners, trainer Kenny McPeek entered Render Judgment in the Virginia Derby. Owned by Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing, the Blame colt earned four qualifying points as a juvenile with a third-place finish in the Gun Runner at Fair Grounds and a fifth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at Churchill Downs. Render Judgment seeks to improve after an eighth-place finish in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star (GII) in his sophomore debut. He drew post 9 and will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr.

Virginia-bred Omaha Omaha, owned by On Your Left Racing, ships in from Laurel Park for his first start in his home state. Trained by Mike Gorham, the homebred has collected 11 Derby points after finishing third in the Withers and second in the Jerome, both at Aqueduct.

The complete field for the $500,000 Virginia Derby from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning-line odds):

Calling Card (Luan Machado, Mike Maker, 15-1)
John Hancock (Mike Smith, Brad Cox, 3-1) [Scratched]
American Promise (Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 12-1)
Omaha Omaha (Raul Mena, Michael Gorham, 10-1)
Studlydoright (Xavier Perez, John Robb, 15-1)
Getaway Car (Irad Ortiz Jr., Bob Baffert, 9-5)
Rapture (Flavien Prat, Brad Cox, 5-1)
Authentic Gallop (Javier Castellano, Tom Amoss, 10-1)
Render Judgment (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ken McPeek, 12-1)
Georgia Magic (Sheldon Russell, Ray Handal, 30-1)

Horseplayers can wager on all the action from Virginia Derby weekend at TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. TwinSpires will offer special promotions for betting on races from Colonial Downs and a qualifier for the $250,000 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge, featuring races from both Colonial and Oaklawn.

VIRGINIA DERBY QUOTES

Rapture (trainer Brad Cox): “We’ve been high on him and he’s progressed forwardly after breaking his maiden. He’s the type of horse we believe the longer the better. The mile-and-an-eighth shouldn’t be an issue at all.”
Render Judgment (trainer Kenny McPeek): “For me, his Risen Star is a complete throw-out. The horses that ran well that day hugged the rail, and it was like running in quicksand for the horses who were outside. This is a horse that really wants a mile and a quarter. He kind of reminds me of Rattle N Roll at this stage as a 3-year-old, but he needs to find another level. We’re cautiously optimistic. If he’s going to find his way into being one of the top 3-year-olds, he needs to be able to do it here.”

HOW TO WATCH THE VIRGINIA DERBY

FanDuel TV will have live, on-site coverage at Colonial Downs.
Stream live on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.

KEY RACES TO WATCH – This weekend there are several races around the world that could have implications on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Here are some of the key races:

Friday

• CNL, R5 (2:28 p.m.), MSW, 3yo f, 1 M
• OP, R7 (4:54 p.m.), OClm 200000n1x, 3yo, 1 1/16 M
• SA, R3 (5:04 p.m.), MSW, 3yo, 1 1/16 M

Saturday

• CNL, R1 (12 p.m.), OC 62500n1x, 3yo f, 1 M
• AQU, R3 (2:15 p.m.), OClm 50000, 3yo f, 1 M
• CNL, R5 (2:18 p.m.), MSW, 3yo, 1 M
• CNL, R8 (4:25 p.m.), $250,000 Virginia Oaks, 3yo f, 1 1/16 M
• CNL, R9 (5:10 p.m.), $500,000 Virginia Derby, 3yo, 1 1/8 M

JOURNALISM TABBED AS 3-1 FAVORITE IN KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER POOL 5; OAKS FUTURE WAGER LED BY UNDEFEATED GOOD CHEER – As the countdown to the 151st runnings of the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) continues, fans will have another opportunity to wager on their favorites in the fifth pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which begins Friday at noon (all times Eastern) and closes Sunday evening.

Both pools feature $2 Win and Exacta wagering, as well as a separate Oaks/Derby Future Double linking selections in both races. The Kentucky Derby Future Wager closes Sunday at 6 p.m., while the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager remains open until 6:30 p.m.

Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is headlined by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, and Robert LaPenta’s San Felipe Stakes (GII) winner Journalism. The son of Curlin is expected to make his next start in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (GI) as his final prep for the Kentucky Derby. The pool includes 39 individual betting interests and an option for “All Other 3-Year-Olds” not listed.

In the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, Godolphin’s undefeated Good Cheer, winner of the Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GII), has been made the 3-1 morning line favorite among the 40 betting interests, which includes an option for “All Other 3-Year-Old Fillies” not listed.

Among the other top interests in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager are Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) winner Sovereignty, Eclipse Award-winning champion Citizen Bull, and highly regarded San Felipe runner-up Barnes.

Here is the complete field, with trainer, sire, and morning line odds, for Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager: #1 Baeza (John Shirreffs, McKinzie, 80-1); #2 Barnes (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 6-1); #3 Built (Wayne Catalano, Hard Spun, 80-1); #4 Burnham Square (Ian Wilkes, Liam’s Map, 30-1); #5 Caldera (Wayne Lukas, Liam’s Map, 50-1); #6 California Burrito (Tommy Drury Jr., Army Mule, 50-1); #7 Captain Cook (Rick Dutrow Jr., Practical Joke, 30-1); #8 Chancer McPatrick (Chad Brown, McKinzie, 30-1); #9 Chunk of Gold (Ethan West, Preservationist, 80-1); #10 Citizen Bull (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 8-1); #11 Clever Again (Steve Asmussen, American Pharoah, 90-1); #12 Coal Battle (Lonnie Briley, Coal Front, 20-1); #13 Cornucopian (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 60-1); #14 Disruptor (Todd Pletcher, Gun Runner, 80-1); #15 East Avenue (Brendan Walsh, Medaglia d’Oro, 50-1); #16 Flood Zone (Brad Cox, Frosted, 30-1); #17 Garamond (Chad Brown, Uncle Mo, 60-1); #18 Getaway Car (Bob Baffert, Curlin, 40-1); #19 Gosger (Brendan Walsh, Nyquist, 90-1); #20 Grande (Todd Pletcher, Curlin, 60-1); #21 Hill Road (Chad Brown, Quality Road, 60-1); #22 John Hancock (Brad Cox, Constitution, 20-1); #23 Journalism (Michael McCarthy, Curlin, 3-1); #24 Luxor Cafe (Noriyuki Hori, American Pharoah, 40-1); #25 Madaket Road (Bob Baffert, Quality Road, 40-1); #26 Neoequos (Saffie Joseph Jr., Neolitic, 80-1); #27 Owen Almighty (Brian Lynch, Speightstown, 30-1); #28 Poster (Eoin Harty, Munnings, 80-1); #29 Praetor (Chad Brown, Into Mischief, 80-1); #30 Rapture (Brad Cox, Uncle Mo, 80-1); #31 River Thames (Todd Pletcher, Maclean's Music, 30-1); #32 Rodriguez (Bob Baffert, Authentic, 40-1); #33 Sand Devil (Linda Rice, Violence, 80-1); #34 Sandman (Mark Casse, Tapit, 20-1); #35 Sovereignty (Bill Mott, Into Mischief, 5-1); #36 Speed King (Ron Moquett, Volatile, 50-1); #37 Tappan Street (Brad Cox, Into Mischief, 40-1); #38 Tiztastic (Steve Asmussen, Tiz the Law, 80-1); #39 Yinzer (Steve Asmussen, Twirling Candy, 90-1); #40 All Other 3-Year-Olds (12-1).

The complete field for the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager: #1 Ahavah (Cherie DeVaux, 80-1); #2 Amarth (Eddie Kenneally, 40-1); #3 Ballerina d'Oro (Chad Brown, 20-1); #4 Bless the Broken (Will Walden, 40-1); #5 Bourbon Memory (Brendan Walsh, 50-1); #6 Brilliantly (Bob Baffert, 40-1); #7 Cassiar (Shug McGaughey, 50-1); #8 Chasten (Brad Cox, 40-1); #9 Decadent (Kenny McPeek, 20-1); #10 Drexel Hill (Whit Beckman, 20-1); #11 Eclatant (Brad Cox, 12-1); #12 Five G (George Weaver, 20-1); #13 Fondly (Graham Motion, 60-1); #14 Golden Sunshine (Eoin Harty, 80-1); #15 Good Cheer (Brad Cox, 3-1); #16 Gowells Delight (Kenny McPeek, 30-1); #17 Her Laugh (Whit Beckman, 20-1); #18 Justinqueso (Ian Wilkes, 30-1); #19 La Cara (Mark Casse, 20-1); #20 Look Forward (Michael McCarthy, 20-1); #21 Madame Secretary (Richard Mandella, 50-1); #22 Maysam (Bob Baffert, 12-1); #23 Muhimma (Brad Cox, 12-1); #24 Paradise City (Saffie Joseph Jr., 25-1); #25 Pretty Sassy (Brendan Walsh, 40-1); #26 Princess Aliyah (Wayne Lukas, 50-1); #27 Quickick (Tom Amoss, 50-1); #28 Quietside (John Ortiz, 20-1); #29 Running Away (Wesley Ward, 15-1); #30 Simply Joking (Whit Beckman, 12-1); #31 Snowyte (Danny Gargan, 50-1); #32 Stunner (Brad Cox, 20-1); #33 Supa Speed (John Sadler, 15-1); #34 Take Charge Milady (Kenny McPeek, 40-1); #35 Tenma (Bob Baffert, 7-2); #36 The Queens M G (Saffie Joseph Jr., 15-1); #37 Velvet Vortex (Brad Cox, 50-1); #38 Vodka With a Twist (Phil D'Amato, 20-1); #39 White Rocks (Arnaud Delacour, 40-1); #40 All Other 3-Year-Old Fillies (12-1).

There are 16 new horses in Pool 5 that were not included in Pool 4: Baeza, Caldera, California Burrito, Chunk of Gold, Clever Again, Cornucopian, Disruptor, Flood Zone, Garamond, Gosger, Hill Road, Luxor Café, Madaket Road, Neoequos, Owen Almighty and Yinzer.

All told, there are six Future Wager pools for Kentucky Derby 151. The sixth and final pool is scheduled for April 3-5.

There are no refunds in the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. If Churchill Downs officials determine that a wagering interest experiences an injury, illness, or other issue that prevents participation in the Kentucky Derby or Oaks, betting on that horse will be suspended immediately.

More information, Brisnet.com past performances, and real-time odds on the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Future Wagers will be available before the pools open Friday at KentuckyDerby.com.

DOWN THE STRETCH – The Road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks continues Saturday with the $250,000 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. The field of eight 3-year-old fillies will go to post in Race 8 at 4:25 p.m.

Trainer Brad Cox reported that Gotham (GIII) winner Flood Zone will target the April 5 UAE Derby (GII) in his next start. …

Trainer Lonnie Briley reported Rebel Stakes (GII) hero Coal Battle is possible to run in three different spots for his next race: the March 29 Arkansas Derby (GI), April 5 Blue Grass (GI), or May 3 Kentucky Derby (GI).

Trainer Brian Lynch said if Tampa Bay Derby (GIII) winner Owen Almighty is pointed to the Derby, he’d like to run him in either the April 5 Blue Grass (GI) or Wood Memorial (GII) as a prep. If the colt targeted the Pat Day Mile (GII) on Derby Day, he could train up to the race. …

Following the Tampa Bay Derby (GIII), trainer Chad Brown said Chancer McPatrick and Hill Road could have one more prep prior to the Kentucky Derby. One will likely run in the April 5 Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland and the other in the Wood Memorial (GII) at Aqueduct on the same day. …

The Churchill Downs barn area will reopen Tuesday following annual winter renovations. The first day of training will be Wednesday.

UPCOMING ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY RACES

March 22 (six weeks out) – $1 million Louisiana Derby (GII), 1 3/16 miles, Fair Grounds (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Baby Max (Kelsey Danner); Built (Wayne Catalano); Caldera (Wayne Lukas); Chunk of Gold (Ethan West); Classic of Course (Patrick Biancone); Hypnus (Kenny McPeek); Instant Replay (Brad Cox); John Hancock (Brad Cox); Yinzer (Steve Asmussen)

March 22 (six weeks out) – $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII), 1 1/8 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Baby Max (Kelsey Danner); Baker Hayfield (Destin Heath); California Burrito (Tom Drury Jr.); Charlie’s to Blame (Peter Eurton); Flying Mohawk (Whit Beckman); Giocoso (Keith Desormeaux); He’s Not Joking (Josie Carroll); Innovator (Wayne Lukas); Megalodon (Josie Carroll); Poster (Eoin Harty); Septarian (Chad Brown); Sock it to Me (Anthony Stephen)

March 29 (five weeks out) – $1 million Florida Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Disruptor (Todd Pletcher); Grande (Todd Pletcher); Neoequos (Saffie Joseph Jr.); River Thames (Todd Pletcher); Sovereignty (Bill Mott); Tappan Street (Brad Cox)

March 29 (five weeks out) – $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Oaklawn (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Coal Battle (Lonnie Briley); Getaway Car (Bob Baffert); Sandman (Mark Casse); Speed King (Ron Moquett)

April 5 (four weeks out) – $1.25 million Blue Grass (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Keeneland (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Burnham Square (Ian Wilkes); Chancer McPatrick (Chad Brown); Coal Battle (Lonnie Briley); Disruptor (Todd Pletcher); East Avenue (Brendan Walsh); Grande (Todd Pletcher); Hill Road (Chad Brown); River Thames (Todd Pletcher)

April 5 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI), 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Baeza (John Shirreffs); Barnes (Bob Baffert); Citizen Bull (Bob Baffert); Journalism (Michael McCarthy)

April 5 (four weeks out) – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII), 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct (Top 5 points: 100-50-25-15-10)

Known possible starters (with trainer): Captain Cook (Rick Dutrow Jr.); Chancer McPatrick (Chad Brown); Disruptor (Todd Pletcher); Grande (Todd Pletcher); Hill Road (Chad Brown); Sand Devil (Linda Rice);

April 12 (three weeks out) – $400,000 Lexington (GIII), 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland (Top 5 points: 20-10-6-4-2)

Note: The possible fields for upcoming Kentucky Derby Championship Series races are fluid as owners and trainers vie for points. Known possible horses mentioned to be under consideration for each race are based on published news reports and other sources. Horses listed in italics are possible for multiple races.