NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- For the first time in its history, the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs was completely sold out, drawing in fans from across the state for a day of racing, betting and excitement. The event, which has been a long-standing tradition, saw an unprecedented turnout this y ear due to the Virginia Derby now being a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. This now makes the event a crucial stop on the road to horse racing’s biggest event. Lisa Marston and her son, Matt Balmer, have been attending the races for over a decade, but even they were surprised by the massive crowd. "Whether it's Charlottesville or the eastern part of the state—like here in New Kent—people have come from all over, and with the Kentucky Derby tie-in, it's huge for Virginia," Balmer said. For many fans, the thrill of horse racing isn’t just about placing bets—it’s about the experience of seeing the horses, jockeys and trainers up close. "Seeing the horses, the jockeys, the trainers—it’s exciting. You feel the energy when they race right past you," Marston added. Among those at Colonial Downs was renowned horse trainer Kenny McPeek. McPeek trained last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, and also won the Virginia Derby previously, and said the atmosphere was unlike any he had seen before. "Indescribable," McPeek said when asked to describe the feeling. "I started coming to the races as a kid, maybe five or six years old, and look at me now." McPeek believes that this year’s record-breaking attendance is a promising sign for the sport, predicting even more growth as the season continues. "This is just the beginning, as the weather warms up, I think we’ll see even bigger crowds," McPeek said. With the Virginia Derby now firmly on the map as a must-watch event, racing fans can look forward to more action throughout the season. For the full schedule for this season's races, you can visit The Rose Gaming Resort's official website. ...read more read less