Added to the Kentucky Derby Trail for the first time, the Virginia Derby entered a new era over the dirt at Colonial Downs on Saturday and it was American Promise (Justify–Tapella, by Tapit) who deposited 50 points into his 'Run for the Roses' account.
It took him six starts to graduate from the maiden ranks, but a patient progression has never dissuaded D. Wayne Lukas before, and once the chestnut got his first win, he was tasked with stepping up into graded company. Crossing the line in sixth, but disqualified to seventh, Jan. 25 in the GIII Southwest Stakes two back, he ran an even fifth Feb. 15 in the GII Risen Star Stakes last out.
With John Hancock (Constitution) opting to go to the GII Louisiana Derby next week, favoritism lay clearly with 'TDN Rising Star' GSW & GISP Getaway Car (Curlin). Initially, it looked like the California speedster would get things his way, but American Promise had some thoughts to the contrary, and was moving well enough to inspire confidence in his rider after splits of :23.12, :45.30, and 1:08.39. Taking over with little asking from his pilot, American Promise steadily disappeared from the field and coasted in 7 3/4 lengths ahead of Render Judgment (Blame) in a track-record time of 1:46.41. Omaha Omaha (Audible) came from last to claim third over Getaway Car in a photo.
“I didn't want to use my horse early but I knew I had to get forward position with how the track has been playing,” said winning rider Nik Juarez. “I'm just a guy who is lucky enough to be named to ride Mr. Lukas' horses. To be heading to the Derby for him is a dream come true. American Promise is doing so good. He proved himself out there today.”
Regarding the fourth-place performance of the post-time favorite, Irad Ortiz Jr. said, “I broke good and I didn't want to give up the lead. I cleared [American Promise] but he came back and pressed me the whole way. Then he galloped. That was a huge performance by [American Promise].”
With his victory here, American Promise has catapulted into fifth place in the Kentucky Derby points standings with 55 to his credit. Getaway Car sits securely in eighth with 46 while Render Judgment is in 14th with 29 and Omaha Omaha right behind him with 26.
Pedigree Note:
American Promise is the half-brother to GSW Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief). Their dam Tapella has a juvenile filly by Munnings as the most recent to reach racing age, and reported a colt by Gun Runner this year.
Tapella is a daughter of SW Princess Arabella (Any Given Saturday), and thus a half-sister to MGSP Ulele (Candy Ride {Arg}). The second dam's half-sister SW & MGSP Dyna's Lassie (Dynaformer) went on to become a producer in her own right, and the pair were two of five black-type earners for third dam Tortuga Lady (Thunder Gulch). That mare claims 12 winners to her tally, and had racing updates as recently as 2024 when her daughter Lady de Berry (Practical Joke) was Listed placed and graded placed in the GII Jimmy Durante Stakes in 2023, and is the granddam of GSP Moonlight (Audible) as well.
American Promise dominates in the Virginia Derby at @colonialdowns to pick up 50 points towards the @kentuckyderby! 🌹@nikjuarez had the mount for D. Wayne Lukas!
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/pXV5QHYm14
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 15, 2025
Saturday, Colonial Downs
VIRGINIA DERBY, $527,500, Colonial Downs, 3-15, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:46.41 (NTR), ft.
1–AMERICAN PROMISE, 123, c, 3, by Justify
1st Dam: Tapella, by Tapit
2nd Dam: Princess Arabella, by Any Given Saturday
3rd Dam: Tortuga Lady, by Thunder Gulch
($750,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-BC
Stables LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas;
J-Nik Juarez. $300,000. Lifetime Record: 9-2-1-1, $444,874.
*1/2 to Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief), GSW, $974,465.
2–Render Judgment, 123, c, 3, Blame–Barbara Gordon, by
Commissioner. ($310,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL). O-Baccari Racing
Stable LLC, Dream Walkin Farms, Inc., MJM Racing and
Rocket Ship Racing; B-Green Lantern Stables (KY); T-Kenneth
McPeek. $100,000.
3–Omaha Omaha, 123, c, 3, Audible–England Swings, by
Kitten's Joy. O/B-On Your Left Racing, LLC (VA); T-Michael E.
Gorham. $82,500.
Margins: 7 3/4, 3/4, NK. Odds: 7.40, 21.00, 12.90.
Also Ran: Getaway Car, Studlydoright, Rapture, Authentic Gallop. Scratched: Calling Card, Georgia Magic, John Hancock.
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