The Kentucky Derby is just six weeks from Saturday, and there's still much to be decided about the 20-horse field. But American Promise all but claimed a spot with a victory in Saturday's Virginia Derby.

The Virginia Derby, Colonial Downs' first horse race as a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby, is on Saturday. Why it matters: The event promises to offer locals an annual slice of the legendary Kentucky Derby,

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.