Saturday’s $527,500 Virginia Derby, the first-ever Road to the Kentucky Derby scoring race contested in the historic commonwealth, delivered an aptly named winner in American Promise.

In the first-ever Kentucky Derby points race at Colonial Downs, BC Stables’ American Promise proved much the best to win the $500,000 Virginia Derby by 7¾ lengths over Render Judgment, earning 50 points and all but securing a spot in the 'Run for the Roses' on the first Saturday in May.

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. Virginia-born Omaha Omaha, born at Chance Farm in Gordonville, took third.

After spending many mornings galloping American Promise, jockey Nik Juarez made his first start aboard the colt count in the Virginia 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.

The main threat to metro Atlanta is expected to arrive after 8 p.m. Saturday and end early Sunday morning. Cross one potential Washington Commanders' wide receiver target off the list. Dr. Oz is about to take over Medicaid.