Incredibolt and a solid victory in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
- Turf Diario
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
The son of Bolt d'Oro lived up to expectations and secured the 50 Kentucky Derby points that were up for grabs
NEW KENT, Virginia—Just as doubts were beginning to mount and the Derby calendar was moving forward without waiting for anyone, Incredibolt delivered a commanding performance to thrust himself back into the heart of the generation's big conversation. The Pin Oak Stud representative captured the Virginia Derby (US$ 506,000) at Colonial Downs, securing 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby in the process.
The victory arrived at exactly the right moment. Following his eye-catching rally in the Street Sense Stakes (G3) in October, the son of Bolt d'Oro had disappointed in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), where he finished sixth without showing his best form. With opportunities to accumulate points rapidly dwindling, the Virginia Derby presented itself as a decisive test.
And the colt responded with authority.
Patiently ridden by Jaime Torres, Incredibolt settled in the middle of the pack while the undefeated Lockstocknpharoah (American Pharoah) set the early pace in an attempt to maintain his perfect record. The field remained compact throughout much of the 1800 meters, with fewer than 5 lengths separating the ten participants at the halfway mark.
The favorite Buetane (Tiz the Law), trained by Bob Baffert, never found the room to develop his run, which ultimately cleared the path for the winner.
Torres did not rush. He bided his time behind the leaders as the field began to stretch out entering the homestretch. Then the opportunity appeared: Work (American Pharoah) began to yield along the rails, leaving a gap open on the inside. Torres did not hesitate and launched his mount through that lane.
The response was immediate. Incredibolt accelerated with power, surged past Lockstocknpharoah, and drew clear to cross the wire 4 lengths ahead, stopping the clock in 1m 47s 76/100.
Grittiness (Curlin) was second, Confessional (Essential Quality) third, and Buetane fourth, while Lockstocknpharoah finished fifth after having set the pace for much of the race.
“He has matured a lot and has more confidence now,” Torres explained. “I felt I had a lot of horse at the halfway point. I was just waiting for the right moment. It’s a dream come true.”
Trainer Riley Mott was also impressed by the way his pupil handled the race: “He stayed in the pocket behind a strong pace and surrounded by rivals. Jaime found the gap inside and when he did, the horse simply exploded. He has always shown that he finishes very strong.”
With the 50 points obtained, Incredibolt now totals 60 units and is practically guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, the great event on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs.
The victory also carried an emotional component for the Pin Oak Stud team, whose founder Jim Bernhard passed away in November 2025 at the age of 71. “We felt him very present today,” Mott said.
Acquired for just US$ 75,000 at the 2024 Keeneland yearling sale, the Kentucky-bred colt by Deann Baer and Dr. Greg Baer has now transformed into one of the most attractive stories on the Derby Trail.
And after his demonstration in Virginia, no one doubts that his name deserves to be back in the major conversation on the road to Louisville.
