NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Tens of thousands of race fans headed to Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County on Saturday for a day of betting and excitement, with Incredibolt winning the $500,000 Virginia Derby by four lengths. On Saturday, March 14, a sellout crowd of more than 9,700 Virgin ia race fans showed up for the long-standing tradition, breaking previous records. The 2026 Virginia Derby amassed a new Virginia Derby Day record of $7,799,881, surpassing last year’s record handle of $6,540,489. The sellout crowd of 9,762 guests eclipsed last year’s inaugural Virginia Derby attendance of more than 8,000. The Virginia Derby became a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby last year, making it one of the biggest event in horse racing. Incredibolt, a 3-year-old colt trained by Riley Mott, went off at 6-1 odds and won the $500,000 Virginia Derby by four lengths with a time of 1:47.76 for the 1 1/8 mile race. The win earned Incredibolt 50 points on The Road to the Kentucky Derby, securing a spot in the field for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2. 2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News)2026 Virginia Derby (Photo: Melissa Chase, 8News) “Congratulations to the connections of Incredibolt on today's win in the Virginia Derby,” said Bill Mudd, President and COO of Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack, in a press release. “We are so proud to celebrate the resurgence of racing in Virginia with this one-of-a-kind event. Churchill Downs Incorporated is grateful for our partners across the Commonwealth who continue to support the growth and revitalization of Virginia's racing and equine industries."' Bottle of Rouge, the three-year-old filly trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Natalie J. Baffert, claimed the 2026 Virginia Oaks win with a time of 1:41.41 for the 1 1/16 mile race. The filly earned 37.5 points on The Road to the Kentucky Oaks and was piloted to victory by jockey Flavien Prat, who won five of the day’s ten races. Virginia’s only Kentucky Derby qualifier race brought top horses, trainers and jockeys to Colonial Downs for this special spring meet, per a release. This included horses trained by marquee names of the sport like Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox, among others. The event included a special tribute to nonprofit organizations that serve Virginians. Churchill Downs Incorporated, owner and operator of Colonial Downs Racetrack, held special trackside recognition ceremonies and made a total of $60,000 in charitable contributions to multiple organizations, including Peter Paul RVA, Dream Catchers and My Sister's Hope. The racing season will continue with another 45 days of live racing each Thursday through Sunday from June 25 through a special day of racing on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, according to a release. ...read more read less