The Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs' first horse race as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, is on Saturday. Why it matters: The event promises to offer locals an annual slice of the legendary Kentucky Derby,

The "Road to the Kentucky Derby" winds through Virginia for the first time this weekend, as the Virginia Derby joins the series with some serious contenders for the Run for the Roses.

But he kept going.” American Promise, the D. Wayne Lukas entry into Saturday’s Virginia Derby, pulled away from the field, setting a Colonial Downs 1 ⅛-mile track record of 1 minute, 46.41 seconds and finishing 7 ¾ lengths ahead of Render Judgement.