The Virginia Derby was added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby slate of qualifying races for 2025 and shifted from a late-summer turf staple on the Colonial Downs racing calendar to a March prep for the first jewel of the Triple Crown. The Virginia Derby is a one-turn, 1 1/8-mile race that awards points toward qualifying for the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers.

1. Calling Card (15-1 morning-line odds): Comes off a dull try in the Gotham Stakes and will need to take a big step forward to be a contender.

JOCKEY: Luan Machado; TRAINER: Mike Maker

2. John Hancock (3-1): Undefeated in two starts. Won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs last time, beating Owen Almighty, who came back to win the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby last week. Should be a major player.

JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Brad Cox

3. American Promise (12-1): Failed to fire in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes and Southwest Stakes. Finds an easier field here and could be a threat on his best try.

JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas

4. Omaha Omaha (10-1): Got away slowly in the Withers Stakes and then closed ground to finish third at this distance. Could make his presence felt in the stretch.

JOCKEY: Raul Mena; TRAINER: Michael Gorham

5. Studlydoright (15-1): Has failed to finish better than fourth since winning the Nashua Stakes in November. Seems to be going in the wrong direction.

JOCKEY: Xavier Perez; TRAINER: John Robb

6. Getaway Car (9-5): Should be the pacesetter under Irad Ortiz Jr. Bob Baffert-trainee exits a determined win in the Sunland Park Derby and figures to be right there at the finish.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

7. Rapture (5-1): Exits an impressive maiden win at Oaklawn Park. If he takes a step forward off that try, he will be a tough customer in this field.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Brad Cox

Authentic Gallop (Coady Media)

8. Authentic Gallop (10-1): Makes his stakes debut in his eighth career start. Won an allowance-optional claiming race at Oaklawn Park last time and will be tested for class here.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Tom Amoss

9. Render Judgment (12-1):  Adds blinkers after a weak effort in the Risen Star. Seems a notch below the top contenders.

JOCKEY: Brian Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek

10. Georgia Magic (30-1): Showed little in his only stakes appearance and drawing the outside post does not help his chances.

JOCKEY: Sheldon Russell; TRAINER: Raymond Handal

THE PICK: Rapture

LIVE LONGSHOTS: Omaha Omaha

SUPERFECTA: 7-6-2-4