- West Virginia Derby
Horseraces infobox
class = Grade III
horse race = West Virginia Derby
caption =
location = Mountaineer ParkChester, West Virginia flagicon|USA
inaugurated = 1981
race type =Thoroughbred -Flat racing
website = [http://www.mtrgaming.com/racing/liveracing.html Mountaineer Race Track]
distance = 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs)
track = Dirt, left-handed
qualification = Three-year-olds
weight = 122 lbs and allowances
purse = $750,000
bonuses = The West Virginia Derby is an AmericanThoroughbred horse race held annually at Mountaineer Race Track inChester, West Virginia . The race is open to three-year-old horses and is run over a distance of 1⅛ miles. A Grade III stakes race since 2002, it currently offers a purse of $750,000.Inaugurated in 1923, the race has been run at three different
West Virginia racetracks:
* Tri State Park Racetrack inHuntington, West Virginia (1923, 1924, 1926)
* Wheeling Downs inWheeling, West Virginia (1958, 1959, 1961)
* Mountaineer Park (1963-present)There was no race in 1925, 1927, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1982-1987, and 1991-1997. In 1926 it was raced at a distance of 11/16 miles.
Records
Time record: (at current 1⅛ miles)
* 1:46:29 - Soto (2003) (Stakes and track record)Most wins by a
jockey :
* 4 -Floyd Green (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966)Winners of the West Virginia Derby since 2000
Earlier winners
*1999 - Stellar Brush
*1998 - Da Devil
*1990 - Challenge My Duty
*1989 - Doc's Leader
*1988 - Old Stories
*1981 - Park's Policy
*1981 - Johnny Dance
*1980 - Summer Advocate
*1979 - Architect
*1978 - Beau Sham
*1977 - Best Person
*1976 - Wardlaw
*1975 - At the Front
*1974 - Park Guard
*1973 - Blue Chip Dan
*1972 - Family Table
*1972 - Bold Nobleman
*1971 - Trico O'Erin
*1970 - Two Joys
*1969 - Roman Partner
*1968 - Chargertown
*1967 - Miracle Hill
*1966 - Kerensa
*1965 - Pantuity
*1964 - Peter Le Grand
*1963 - Etimota
*1962 - No race
*1961 - Dip and Whirl
*1959 - Redbird Wish
*1958 - Sea Hymn
*1926 - Nine Sixty
*1924 - Norah
*1923 - Tender Seth
* Captain Nash won the 1970 race but was disqualified and set back to second.
* Run in two divisions in 1972 and 1981.
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