Virginia Derby 2026 Analysis at Colonial Downs (3-14-26)

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Saturday, March 14. This Kentucky Derby points race brings together a field of three-year-olds traveling one mile and one-eighth around one turn on the main track.

In this breakdown, I’ll first walk through the field, then dive into the Today’s Racing Digest data. The past performances referenced in this analysis come from race sheets available at Today’s Racing Digest.

Virginia Derby Overview

Race	Virginia Derby
Purse	$500,000
Track	Colonial Downs
Distance	1 1/8 Miles (One Turn)
Division	3-Year-Olds
Post Time	5:10 PM ET

This unique one-turn mile and an eighth configuration can produce tactical races where early positioning matters, but horses with stamina can still make a sustained run down the long Colonial Downs stretch.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Future Wager (March 13-15)

In this horse racing video, I take a look at Kentucky Oaks 2026 Future Wager Pool. This pool opens on Friday, March 13 and closes at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, March 15.   

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.

Virgina Oaks 2026 Video Analysis (3-14-26)

Virginia Oaks video analysis at Colonial Downs (3-14-26). This is a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race. Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 video record (24 12-3-5).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Santa Anita Park Handicapping Report (March 6-8)

Santa Anita Recap for Friday (3-6-26)

Fast main track and firm turf course. Two front running sprint winners on dirt (7f, 6f). On the turf course, a 2-1 stalker won the opener at 6.5f, a stalking favorite scored at 6.5f, a 3-1 midpack stalker graduated at one mile, a 2-1 stalker won at 9f, and a 12-1 stalker upset the flat mile finale (rail at 30 feet).

Antonio Fresu guided home two turf winners.

The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $314,292 and tickets with six winners paid $35,585.00. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $351.00.

March 6 Claims: Race 1 – Tapelo ($30k, Steve Knapp). Race 7 – Twirling Point ($50k, Blaine D. Wright). Race 8 – Pass the Baton ($16k, Librado Barocio).

Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (3-6-26)
SA 1 THE OLD NINE ($6.20)
SA 2 Jensco/Crazy Cami Exacta ($33.80)
Double (races 1-2, $37.60)
Pick 3 (races 1-3, $196.60)
SA 4 TOMMY NORRIS ($5.80)
Double (races 3-4, $20.80)
Pick 3 (races 2-4, $165.00)
Double (races 4-5, $24.60)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $100.00)
SA 6 GALLOPING GHOST ($3.80)
Double (races 5-6, $15.40)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $68.40)
SA 7 Twirling Point/City Exile ($15.80)

*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.

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Santa Anita Recap for Saturday (3-7-26)

Fast main track and firm turf course. One front running winner at one mile on dirt. On the turf course, a 3-1 stalker graduated in the 6f opener, a 6-1 stalker tallied at 6f, a 7-1 front runner came again to win at one mile, an even money stalker graduated at 6f, 31-1 stalker Final Boss upset the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G2) at one mile, and a 22-1 front runner captured the flat mile finale. 

Juan Hernandez booted home four winners (3 graded stakes winners). Bob Baffert saddled three winners on the main track including two graded route winners and Hernandez guided home both of Baffert’s stakes winners. Mark Glatt saddled two winners. Michael McCarthy saddled two winners on turf.

Santa Anita Stakes Recaps for 3-7-26

Grade 1 Beholder Mile (8f): Splendora ($2.20) was 10 cents on the dollar and she dominated this heat. She made the lead and widened throughout to win by 5 3/4 lengths. Bless the Broken chased from second and was 7 lengths clear of late running show finisher Om N Joy. Simply Joking and Nafisa also ran. Dazzling Move scratched. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 23.49, 46.77, 1:10.31, 1:22.99, 1:35.16.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-9-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-9-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (3-9-26)

The Grade 3 Santa Ysabel was the lone Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep race last week and Forced Entry tracked the pace and smartly scored by 1 3/4 lengths. In this report, I will recap the Santa Ysabel, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 24 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs on Saturday, March 14.

Virginia Oaks field (race 8 at Colonial Downs on March 14): 1 – Dazzling Dame, 2 – Hit Parade, 3 – Bottle of Rouge, 4 – Kadabra, 5 – Somemunny to Love, 6 – Baffle.

The Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will be held later this week on March 13, 14, 15.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Update (3-8-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my Exceptional 11 Derby contenders (3-8-26). 

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my channel. Road to Derby video record (27 10-4-5).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.