Virginia
American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby, now Kentucky Derby qualifier, at Colonial Downs
NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — More than 8,000 people filled the stands at Colonial Downs for the much-anticipated Virginia Derby on Saturday.
American Promise won the race and secured a spot in the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3.
WATCH: American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
American Promise wins sold-out Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs
In addition to the Derby, there was another significant race on Saturday: the Virginia Oaks, where 10 horses competed for a spot in the Kentucky Oaks.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the First Lady presented trophies to the winners of the Virginia Derby and Virginia Oaks events.
Virginia Derby Day’s roughly 8,000 tickets officially sold out on Wednesday.
Colonial Downs/International Sound Corp.
The event included special guests, unique experiences, and entertainment to honor the significant day in Virginia sports.
Esther Hall, a lifelong horse racing enthusiast from Virginia, was thrilled that the Virginia Derby is now a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby.
“I’m just so glad that Churchill created this race as a Derby prep race. It’s a brand new, first year it’s ever been a prep race,” Hall said. “And it’s a big prep race, a 50-point winning, you’re in prep race. So there are a lot of good horses here, good riders, good trainers. And I think it’ll really help the growth of Colonial Downs and hopefully horse racing in Virginia.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Jockey Nik Juárez on American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
FULL INTERVIEW: Jockey Nik Juárez on American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
Hall said her passion for the sport began in her youth and was fueled by her father’s promise.
“He put me up on one of the last old draft horses we had down there on the farm when I was three. And, you know, and I got scared, made him take me off,” she recalled. “But then when we got home, I said, ‘Daddy, I want a horse.’ He said, ‘Well, you can have one when you’re 12.’ And he thought I was going to forget, but I didn’t. And I’ve been riding since I was 12.”
PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
Local News
PHOTOS: Fashion on display at Virginia Derby
Hall said horses have “always just been a passion” for the 70-year-old.
“Since I don’t work with horses anymore, I was able to come down here to the racetrack,” Hall said.
She hopes more people discover the sport.
“Bring your friends and your family here and introduce them to horse racing. These horses you’re seeing right now, these are some of the top horses in the country,” Hall said. “It’s beautiful watching the horses. There’s no excitement like it, you know. And then half an hour later, you get to watch another race and go through it all over again.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Why horses have ‘always been a passion’ for Virginia woman
FULL INTERVIEW: Why horses have ‘always been a passion’ for Virginia woman
📲: CONNECT WITH US
Blue Sky| Facebook| Instagram| X| Threads| TikTok| YouTube
A skydiver crashed into the Lane Stadium scoreboard before Virginia Tech’s spring football game Saturday.
Virginia Tech officials said on X that the skydiver “was safely secured and is currently stable” following rescue efforts. The incident caused a delay in the start of the spring game.
“Thankful for game days with Hokie Nation and for the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech first responders whose quick actions safely returned today’s parachuter to the ground without injury,” the university said.
The name of the skydiver wasn’t released.
“Our primary focus remains on their well-being,” Virginia Tech officials said in a statement. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response.”
Video footage showed the skydiver’s parachute landing between the “C” and the “H” on the Virginia Tech lettering on top of the scoreboard before first responders rescued him.
CBS News has reached out to the Blacksburg Fire Department for details on the incident.
A much cleaner performance carried Clemson baseball on Friday, as it answered the previous night’s loss with a 5-1 win over No. 9 Virginia.
Michael Sharman set the tone from the start. He kept Virginia off balance all night, working eight innings while giving up just a single run. There weren’t many free passes, and he consistently pitched ahead, which allowed him to stay in control deep into the game. Hayden Simmerson wrapped things up in the ninth without any trouble.
At the plate, Nate Savoie was the difference. He delivered two home runs, including a go-ahead shot later in the game that put Clemson in front for good. His first long ball gave the Tigers an early edge, and he finished with three RBIs on the night.
Virginia managed to pull even midway through, but Clemson quickly responded. The offense strung together quality at-bats, with Bryce Clavon driving in a run and Luke Gaffney continuing his strong weekend with multiple hits. The Tigers created more separation late, adding another run after working a bases-loaded situation.
Clemson moves to 25-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play with the win. The series now comes down to Saturday’s matchup in Charlottesville.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A car crashed into the patio at Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Oceanfront on Friday night.
Virginia Beach medics arrived at the scene around 7:54 p.m. at Murphy’s Irish Pub and found several victims, according to police. All were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to very severe.
Medics are still on the scene, according to News 3’s team onsite.
This is an active scene and an ongoing investigation; News 3’s team will continue providing updates.
-
Technology3 minutes agoChinese robot breaks human world record in Beijing half-marathon
-
Business9 minutes agoCivil case against Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust’ movie producers advances toward a trial
-
Entertainment14 minutes agoKarol G at Coachella was a global hit. Yet other foreign acts fear touring the U.S.
-
Lifestyle20 minutes agoL.A.’s unofficial Statue of Liberty is a Fashion Nova billboard off the 10 Freeway
-
Politics27 minutes agoOrdered free, still locked up: Judges fume as Trump administration holds ICE detainees
-
Science33 minutes agoA renewed threat to JPL as the Trump administration tries again to cut NASA
-
Sports39 minutes agoAfter 55 years as a broadcaster in L.A., Randy Rosenbloom is leaving town
-
World51 minutes agoBulgaria votes in eighth election in five years