Incredibolt, Bottle of Rouge star at Colonial Downs

A dead rail at Gulfstream Park perhaps contributed to Incredibolt running sub-par in his season debut, the Jan. 31 Holy Bull (G3). But a rail bid proved golden for Incredibolt on Saturday, when he dominated nine rivals in the $506,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.

Victorious in two of three starts last season, including the Street Sense (G3), Incredibolt was a distant trailer in the Holy Bull by more than 25 lengths. Bettors were a bit cautious about his chances in the Virginia Derby as a result, but the faithful were awarded nicely.

Sent off as the 6-1 fourth choice and never more than a couple of lengths behind the leaders, Incredibolt dove inside pacesetting Lockstocknpharoah approaching the eighth pole and drove home a commanding winner by four lengths under Jaime Torres.

Owned by Pin Oak Stud and trained by Riley Mott, Incredibolt completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.76 over a fast track and returned $14.40.

Grittiness, a 36-1 outsider, rallied from the rear of the field to finish second by a neck over Confessional. Buetane the 3-2 favorite, encountered traffic at various points and could do no better than fourth. Lockstocknpharoah weakened to fifth.

The order of finish was rounded out by Ocelli, Clocker Special, Work, Epic Desire, and High Camp.

Incredibolt earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1), bringing his total to 60. Grittiness increased his total from 11 to 36, while Confessional earned 15 points. Buetane's total rose from six points to 10, and Lockstocknpharoah earned five points.

A Kentucky-bred son of Bolt d'Oro and the Awesome Again mare Sapphire Spitfire, Incredibolt was bred by Deann Baer and Greg Baer. He sold for $75,000 at Keeneland September.

Bottle of Rouge was the established class entering the $250,000 Virginia Oaks and did not disappoint her multitude of backers, who sent her off as the 4-5 favorite.

Saving ground while chasing pacesetter Dazzling Dame, Bottle of Rouge was tipped out to challenge the long-time leader in upper stretch and easily bested that foe by 4 1/4 lengths under Flavien Prat.

Dazzling Dame finished four lengths clear of the maiden Baffle, who had 2 3/4 lengths on Hit Parade. Kadabra trailed the field.

Owned by Jill Baffert and trained by Bob Baffert, Bottle of Rouge returned $3.60. She covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.41.

Due to the Virginia Oaks scratching down to a field of five, only 75% of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points allotted to the Virginia Oaks field was distributed. Bottle of Rouge earned 37.5 points, bringing her total to 57.5.

Dazzling Dame increased her total from 22 to 40.75, while Baffle earned 11.25 points. Hit Parade's total jumped from 12 to 19.5 points, while Kadabra's rose from six points to 9.75.

The Virginia Oaks was the third career stakes win for Bottle of Rouge, who has now won four of six starts. A dominant maiden winner at Del Mar in her second start, she then upset stablemate Explora in the Del Mar Debutante (G1).

A modest sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to conclude her freshman campaign, Bottle of Rouge kicked off this term with a 1 1/2-length triumph in the Sunland Park Oaks on Feb. 19.

Bottle of Rouge is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Vino Rosso and out of Blues Corner, by Bluegrass Cat. She sold for $100,000 at Keeneland September.