The 2026 Virginia Derby field as Academy Award Best Picture Nominees

Mar 11, 2026 Ashley Anderson/TwinSpires.com

American Promise wins the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

The mashup no one asked for — with a 10-horse field set for Saturday's 2026 Virginia Derby, what better way to analyze the field than by comparing each runner to one of the 10 Best Picture nominees for Sunday's 98th Academy Awards ceremony?

Below is a comparative analysis of the sophomores entered in the 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs as to which Best Picture contender best matches the runner.

#1 Buetane (5-2)

A misnomer for the flammable hydrocarbon gas used in bottled form as fuel, Buetane is none other than “F1,” a box-office smash, raking in more than $633 million worldwide. Likewise, Zedan Racing Stables’ color-bearer Buetane was one of the most expensive purchases at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training but has not won since his debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar.

#2 Grittiness (12-1)

The chestnut colt is trying to get over the hump, much like the protagonist of “Sentimental Value,” a story of a filmmaker attempting a comeback. Grittiness is still a maiden and 0-for-5 lifetime, but Todd Pletcher and Repole Stable clearly have a soft spot for the Curlin son who already has 11 points on the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard.

#3 Epic Desire (15-1)

With turf and dirt experience, Epic Desire is a horse with versatility; just like the megahit “Sinners,” which should absolutely win Best Picture over “One Battle After Another.” End of conversation.

#4 Work (20-1)

The recent maiden winner on turf is paired up with none other than “Train Dreams,” a portrait of a laborer’s life in the early 20th-century American West. Both Work and “Train Dreams” are longshots heading into the weekend.

#5 High Camp (9-2)

A three-year-old trained by Will Walden, who some might say resembles a young Jesse Plemmons, star of “Bugonia,” an offbeat sci-fi comedy/thriller that’s arguably at times…campy.

#6 Lockstocknpharoah (5-1)

His DNA makes him a direct descendant of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. (If you know, you know). So far, the three-year-old has won 'One Battle After Another' and may gun it to the front, but he better show more speed than he did in his last start at Turfway Park.

#7 Incredibolt (10-1)

Who else would represent “Frankenstein”? Bolt d’Oro’s creation won the Street Sense (G3) two back and is looking to find new life off a sixth in the Holy Bull (G3). It’s a live! It’s a live bet!

⚡ Incredibolt goes from last to first in the G3 Street Sense and earns 10 Kentucky Derby points! @jaimetorresjcky was aboard for trainer @riley_mott.

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/w8OfRtZnmz

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 26, 2025

#8 Confessional (4-1)

The gray son of Essential Quality is a complement to “The Secret Agent.” It’s hardly classified information, the Brad Cox runner will need to improve off his distant seventh in the Sam F. Davis S., but may run better with blinkers back on.

#9 Ocelli (15-1)

Another name for “little eye,” Ocelli is a little more than kin to “Hamnet,” a film about Shakespeare’s “little guy,” who inspired his greatest work. Ocelli is still a maiden after four career starts, but trainer Whit Beckman clearly believes the three-year-old could lead him to greatness, with the Kentucky Derby as a target.

#10 Clocker Special (10-1)

Trying to ping-pong his way between a win and a loss to upset the Virginia Derby, Clocker Special goes hand in hand with “Marty Supreme,” a movie about the 'Bad Boy of Table Tennis' who won 22 major titles with his flashy and unconventional approach to the sport.