Wagering

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series swung through Santa Anita and Tampa Bay Downs last weekend, with the San Felipe (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3) offering qualifying points to the top five finishers.

In honor of Saturday’s Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, it’s an opportune time to highlight Virginia’s tapestry of racing history.

Repositioned as a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep last season, the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs highlights a special three-day weekend meeting at Colonial Downs this week.

The connections of Road to the Kentucky Oaks leader Explora - Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman along with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert - now have another contender in Forced Entry.

Speedway Stables’ Potente passed his first test on the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the San Felipe (G2), giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record-extending 10th win in the prep at Santa Anita.

The Puma broke through with his first win and punched his Kentucky Derby ticket in Saturday’s $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3), rallying last-to-first to score by nearly a length

Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs marks the return of Further Ado, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby last fall.

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The 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G3) anchors the signature program of the racing season at Tampa Bay Downs.

A fine field of seven three-year-olds with an eye on the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in May will compete in the $200,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday.