Virginia Oaks

What to know about the 2026 Virginia Oaks

Six talented fillies will battle it out in the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs, also worth $500,000 and points toward the Kentucky Oaks. Three of these horses have already won races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, making this extra exciting!

Bottle of Rouge won a Grade 1 race last year as a two-year-old — that's like being an honor student before high school!

Dazzling Dame has won four of five races and absolutely crushed her last opponent by 11½ lengths. She loves to show off!

Hit Parade won a big race in December but had a tough race last time out. Can she get back on track?

Post time is 4:25 p.m. ET, with the Virginia Derby following at 5:10 p.m. Tune in for both races — it's going to be a fantastic afternoon of racing!

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Virginia Oaks: A Championship Series Qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Current Race Specifications:
The Virginia Oaks is held at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Virginia, at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. For the 2026 Kentucky Oaks Road, the race offers a $250,000 purse and awards points on a 50-25-15-10-2 structure to the top five finishers.

Position in Oaks Qualification:
The Virginia Oaks competes as part of the Kentucky Oaks Championship Series within the Road to the Kentucky Oaks system. Fillies earn points based on finishing position: 50 points for winning, 25 for second, 15 for third, 10 for fourth, and 2 for fifth place. This significant point allocation reflects the race's importance—it occurs on March 14, 2026, during the final stretch of Oaks prep season when three-year-old fillies are making their final statements before Churchill Downs.

Race Significance:
The Kentucky Oaks Championship Series races, which include the Virginia Oaks, distribute substantially higher point values (50, 25, 15, 10, 2) compared to earlier prep races. This point structure prioritizes performances in late-season championships, rewarding consistent preparation and proper timing as fillies approach their opportunity to compete for the historic Kentucky Oaks. Winners of the Virginia Oaks use this race as their final tune-up before Louisville, competing on a dirt surface at a distance of 1 1/16 miles to prepare for the Kentucky Oaks.