In 2025, for the first time ever the road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Virginia and Colonial Downs. The March 15th Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks marks the first time the Commonwealth has ever hosted a Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Prep race. The horse that crosses the wire first will be eligible for the Run for the Roses on the First Saturday in May. Here are the other Derby prep races leading up to and following the historic running of Virginia’s namesake race. All races will be available to wager at any of the 8 Rosie’s locations in Virginia (New Kent, Richmond, Emporia, Collinsville, Vinton, Hampton, Dumfries, and the Rose Resort also in Dumfries), The Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake, VA and the Breakers Sports Grill OTB in Henrico, VA, and from anywhere in the Commonwealth via the four ADWs allowed in the state (Twinspires, NYRA Bets, Xpressbet, and TVG).
January 18, 2025
The Lecomte Stakes (Gr.3) at the Fair Ground in New Orleans, LA – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
January 25, 2025
The Southwest Stakes (Gr.3) at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
February 1, 2025
The Holy Bull Stakes (Gr.3) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Gr.3) at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
The Withers Stakes (Gr.3) at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York, NY – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
February 8, 2025
The Sam F. Davis Stakes (Gr.3) at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, FL – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
February 15, 2025
The Risen Star Stakes (Gr.2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA – Points available (50-25-15-10-5)
February 16, 2025
The Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo, Japan – Points available (30-15-9-6-3)
The Sunland Derby (Gr.3) at Sunland Park in Sunland Park, NM – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
February 22, 2025
The John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park, in Florence, KY – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
The Rebel Stakes (Gr.2) at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR – Points Available (50-25-15-10-5)
February 26, 2025
The Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park in Sunbury-on-Thames, England, UK – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
February 28, 2025
The Patton Stakes at Dundalk Racecourse in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
March 1, 2025
The Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr.2) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL – Points available (50-25-15-10-5)
the Gotham Stakes (Gr.3) at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York, NY – Points available – (50-25-15-10-5)
The San Felipe Stakes (Gr.2) at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA – Points available (50-25-15-10-5)
March 8, 2025
The Tampa Bay Derby (Gr.2) at Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, FL – Points available (50-25-15-10-5)
March 15, 2025
The Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in New Kent, VA – Points available (50-25-15-10-5)
March 22, 2025
The Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan – Points available (40-20-12-8-4)
The Jeff Ruby Steaks (Gr.3) at Turfway Park in Florence, KY – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
The Louisianna Derby (Gr. 2) at The Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
March 29, 2025
The Arkansas Derby (Gr.1) at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, AR – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
The Florida Derby (Gr.1) at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
April 5, 2025
The Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, KY – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
The Santa Anita Derby (Gr.1) at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
The UAE Derby (Gr.2) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, UAE – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
The Wood Memorial (Gr.2) at Aqueduct Racecourse in New York, NY – Points available (100-50-25-15-10)
April 12, 2025
The Lexington (Gr.4) at Keeneland in Lexington, KY – Points available (20-10-6-4-2)
