After his late-charging victory in the Street Sense Stakes (G3) last October, there was plenty of chatter about Pin Oak Stud's Incredibolt, putting him firmly in the mix among the soon-to-be 3-year-olds to watch on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Then came a less-than-ideal sixth-place effort in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to kick off his 3-year-old campaign, putting any dreams of a run for the roses into question.
With the number of days until the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1) dwindling, the opportunities to prove he still belongs in the conversations he was once part of are also evaporating. It's why the $506,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs March 14 would prove critical in shaping the direction of his year.
Turning on the jets inside the final furlong, Incredibolt surged to the front and captured the Virginia Derby—and the 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points that come with it. Now with 60 points, Incredibolt is tied atop the Derby points leaderboard and is all but assured a spot in the starting gate for the sport's biggest race.
"He's really matured and has a lot more confidence now," said jockey Jaime Torres. "That showed today. I felt like I had plenty of horse around the half-mile, and I thought the horses in front were starting to slow down a little. I was just waiting for the right spot. This is a dream come true."
Breaking as the fourth choice, Incredibolt settled in midpack in a field that was tightly bunched for much of the race. Less than 5 lengths separated all 10 runners at the half-mile point of the 1 1/8-mile race.
Lockstocknpharoah jumped out to the early lead and looked poised to fend off any challengers until late. While the rest of the field settled in behind him and shuffled around like a deck of cards, the son of American Pharoah was looking to extend his career-opening win streak to a perfect 3-for-3.
Meanwhile, the Bob Baffert-trained Buetane, who was the big 3-2 favorite, found himself bottled up and unable to make a serious threat.
This opened the door for Incredibolt.
Torres didn't force the issue, letting the race come to him and the Bolt d'Oro colt. Riding just behind Lockstocknpharoah and with Work along the rail to his left and a cluster of rivals fighting to get to the outside, there wasn't much room to move.
But as the field came out of the turn and hit the stretch, Work began to fade, creating an opening along the rail. Torres seized the opportunity and Incredibolt charged forward, finally overtaking Lockstocknpharoah, who ultimately finished fifth.
Incredibolt left nothing to chance, clearing the field by 4 lengths in 1:47.76. The winner paid $14.40. Grittiness was second, Confessional third, and Buetane fourth. In addition to Incredibolt's 50 points for winning the race, qualifying points were distributed on a 25-15-10-5 scale to the second- through fifth-place finishers.
"It was very impressive," said trainer Riley Mott. "He sat right in the pocket behind a hot pace and was surrounded by horses most of the way. He took Jaime right up into a hole on the rail turning for home and then just blasted off and was pulling away at the end. In his morning workouts and races, he's always galloped out really well. He's bred to do it and he's shown us he can finish races going long, so we're optimistic and hopeful we can make it to the first Saturday in May. I'm happy for the horse and our staff, and especially happy for the Pin Oak team and the Bernhard family. We're missing a very important member today in Mr. Jim Bernhard, but I know he's looking down on us."
Bernhard died in November 2025 following a brief illness at the age of 71.
Pin Oak purchased Incredibolt at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $75,000 out of the Burleson Farms consignment. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Deann Baer and Dr. Greg Baer.
The sire, Bolt d'Oro, stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington.
Video: Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County (BT)
Royal New Kent Stakes
Tour Player proved best in a field of four to win the $97,000 Royal Kent Stakes.
Hanging back in third while the favored Dragoon Guard and Komorebino Omoide dueled for the early lead, 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) contestant Raise Cain was 5 lengths back of Tour Player at the first point of call.
While the leaders went stride for stride, Tour Player stayed within 2 lengths of the pair with half a mile to go. Jockey Flavien Prat had his battle-tested ride where he wanted him—stalking the leaders while they exerted their energy on each other.
Prat moved out three wide coming around the turn, with Tour Player grabbing control as the trio exited onto the stretch.
With Tour Player opening up a 3-length cushion with a furlong left, Dragoon Guard made one last effort to reel in the new leader but there simply was not enough track left in the 1-mile contest.
"He was a real pro out there," Prat said. "He jumped well, then settled down nicely on the backside, and he was there for me when I asked him to make his move. The track is in great condition, and I'm very grateful to be here."
Tour Player crossed the wire in 1:33.57, 0.02 off the track record set last year (one race after the Royal New Kent, 3-year-old filly Chasten set a new track record for a mile in 1:33.40). He paid $9.20 for the win. Dragoon Guard finished 1 1/4 lengths back in second. Raise Cain caught Komorebino Omoide down the stretch to finish third.
The 5-year-old chestnut has bounced around several trainers during his career, including three stints with Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who is the horse's breeder. Saturday's race was his second for Whit Beckman. But before his third stint with Baffert, Tour Player was conditioned by D. Wayne Lukas. Tour Player has the distinction of being the last winner for Lukas, 16 days before he died.
By winning the Royal Kent, Tour Player improves to 5-0-1 from 11 career starts (1-0-0 from two starts this year) and $381,173 in lifetime earnings. He is owned by Graham Grace Stable, who purchased Tour Player from Baffert for $350,000 at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Digital December Selected Sale.
