NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Hold your horses! An official qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby will once again be held at Colonial Downs in 2027. Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced Thursday that the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent County will keep its status as an of ficial qualifier for the Kentucky Derby for 2027. The 2027 Virginia Derby will take place on March 14, 2027, and will award 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the 153rd running of the Kentucky Derby at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The highly anticipated race will headline three days of live racing at Colonial Downs from March 11, 2027, to March 13, 2027, the governor's office said. “Virginia has a proud and growing tradition in horse racing, and the Virginia Derby has earned its place as an essential stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby,” Spanberger said in a release. “Retaining this status reflects the strength of our equine industry, the high caliber of competition at Colonial Downs, and the tremendous crowds that continue to turn out from across the Commonwealth. Previous qualifiers on this path have gone on to compete at the highest levels, including Ocelli’s third-place finish in the 2026 Kentucky Derby, and we are proud to see Virginia remain front and center on the national stage.” Spanberger's office added that last year's Virginia Derby brought in about $122 million and nearly 10,00 attendees for Virginia Derby Day. Tickets for the Virginia Derby go on sale at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 10, here. Additional ticketing and schedule details for the upcoming meet will be announced in the coming weeks. ...read more read less