Kentucky Derby prep: Virginia Derby contender speed figures
Saturday's 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby will be run on dirt for the first time and as a points prep for the Kentucky Derby. Formerly a Grade 2, the surface change has left it ungraded for 2025, but it offers a $500,000 purse and 50-25-15-10-5 points toward a spot in the gate on the first Saturday in May.
The Virginia Derby produced notable champions Kitten's Joy and English Channel in its previous editions as an important turf stakes for 3-year-old males in the fall.
This year, 10 3-year-olds are entered to run, headlined by Sam F. Davis winner John Hancock, pictured above. Brad Cox trains this unbeaten son of Constitution, who is making his third career start. John Hancock holds the top TimeformUS Speed Figure, 115, and the second-best Brisnet Speed Rating, 97.
Sunland Park Derby winner Getaway Car wheels back for Bob Baffert to continue his advance toward the Derby. He owns the top Horse Racing Nation figure, 129, and Brisnet rating, 101. The top Beyer Speed Figure earner, 95, is trainer D. Wayne Lukas's American Promise, last seen finishing fifth behind Magnitude in the Risen Star. Gotham stakes third-place finisher Omaha Omaha looks to improve on that finish for trainer Michael Gorham.
Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Virginia Derby entrants.
| Post | Horse | Morn. line | Beyer* | TFUS* | HRN | Brisnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calling Card | 15-1 | 87 | 110 | 114 | 93 |
| 2 | John Hancock | 3-1 | 85 | 115 | 113 | 97 |
| 3 | American Promise | 12-1 | 95 | 113 | 110 | 92 |
| 4 | Omaha Omaha | 10-1 | 80 | 102 | 109 | 90 |
| 5 | Studlydoright | 15-1 | 85 | 106 | 110 | 89 |
| 6 | Getaway Car | 9-5 | 92 | 112 | 129 | 101 |
| 7 | Rapture | 5-1 | 82 | 103 | 111 | 88 |
| 8 | Authentic Gallop | 10-1 | 84 | 102 | 105 | 85 |
| 9 | Render Judgment | 12-1 | 79 | 99 | 110 | 87 |
| 10 | Georgia Magic | 30-1 | 58 | 88 | 97 | 75 |
| *Courtesy Daily Racing Form | ||||||