Recharged Incredibolt enters the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs a bounce back candidate after faltering to a last place finish in January’s Holy Bull Stakes (G3). It was an uncharacteristic showing for the promising Bolt D’Oro colt, who wasn’t able to translate the momentum from a promising rookie season into his first start of 2026. In 2025, Incredibolt picked up a pair of victories from three starts, headlined by an impressive triumph in the Grade 3 Street Sense on October 26 at Churchill Downs. Come Saturday, the dark bay, trained by Riley Mott for owner Pin Oak Stud, will try to rebound with Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on the line (50-25-15-10-5). Incredibolt opens at 10-1 on the morning line. Name of the Game Dazzling Dame has been exactly that through five starts under trainer Brittany Russell, locking down four wins and three stakes badges. On Saturday, the 3-year-old daughter of Girvin–Awesome Dama takes her talents to Colonial Downs for the $250,000 Virginia Oaks. There, Dazzling Dame will contend with five foes, captained by 2025 Del Mar Debutante (G1) champion and 6-5 morning line favourite, Bottle of Rouge. Dazzling Dame and her trio of stakes trophies (2025 Sorority and White Clay Creek, and 2026 Busanda) represent the greatest threat to Bottle of Rouge as the 5-2 second choice in the Virginia Oaks, which awards Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Like Clockwork Participating in the $250,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) has become an annual tradition for Tejano Twist, who has competed in every running of the six-furlong sprint since 2023. The veteran Practical Joke gelding will keep the streak alive this Saturday when he returns to Oaklawn Park in search of his second Whitmore score. After striking in his Whitmore debut with a 1 ½-length decision on March 18, 2023, Tejano Twist ran runner-up in 2024 and to a third-place effort in 2025. The Chris Hartman trainee has performed well to begin 2026, collecting a win and two seconds from three starts. Oddsmakers have undoubtedly liked what they’ve seen thus far, listing Tejano Twist as the early 5-2 choice. Back on the Horizon Sorrento Sky (IRE) is ready for a second shot at the $100,000 San Simeon (G3T) following a third in last year’s edition of the 6 ½-furlong tilt. Back at the familiar confines of Santa Anita this Saturday, the 5-year-old son of Prince of Lir (IRE) – Briarfield Lady (IRE) enters the 2026 renewal of the San Simeon off a strong season debut in the Clocker’s Corner Stakes on February 8, also staged at the Arcadia, California oval. The runner-up result elevated Sorrento Sky’s lifetime slash line to 4-4-5 ($280,838) across 17 starts. Out to improve on last year’s San Simeon outcome, the dark bay, trained by Phil D’Amato, stands tied with Genius Jimmy as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line behind favourite Sumter (5-2). Enjoying the Fruits A zesty performance in last month’s Wishing Well Stakes has Ms. Tart striding into Saturday’s $125,000 Queen Stakes at Turfway Park with serious momentum. The decisive 2 ¾-length tally, which also came at the Florence, Kentucky raceway, represented the Maximus Mischief mare’s third career stakes triumph, and eighth win from 23 starts lifetime (8-0-3; $430,747). Ms. Tart previously struck in last May’s HPIbet Royal North Stakes (G3) at Woodbine and later at Presque Isle Downs in the Satin and Lace Stakes. Bred by Sovereign Farm and owned by Judy Pryor and Mulholland Springs, the bay, conditioned by John Ennis, gallops into the six-furlong Queen at 4-1 – good for second in the 12-horse field. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
