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The West Virginia Derby is making its return to Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort this weekend, but with some significant changes.
The Grade III race, along with its accompanying events such as the West Virginia Governor's Stakes, will move from what has become a traditional Saturday afternoon affair to Sunday evening. The first race is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Full fields, with a few extras with eligibility, have been drawn for both races, with several entries involving well-known horses and trainers looking to claim the purses of $500,000 for the Derby and $200,000 for the Stakes.
Red Route One, for example, finished eighth in the Belmont Stakes and fourth in the Preakness Stakes this year, while Gun Runner finished second at the Kentucky Derby preps at Oaklawn Park.
Raise Cain finished second in the Indiana Derby. One in Vermillion, meanwhile, won five of its 10 starts this year.
The Governor's Stakes will see entries such as Best Actor, Rattle N Roll and King Ottoman, all with their own regarded pedigrees.
The West Virginia Derby has seen its share of history and historical finishes.
It was first run at Tri-State Park in Huntington on April 21, 1923, and also has called Wheeling Downs home on occasion. It first came to Hancock County more than 50 years ago, running at what then was known as Waterford Park. Now known as Mountaineer, the local track has hosted this annual race for much of the time since.
It is a weekend looked forward to by casual fans and horse enthusiasts alike, and we hope to see such excitement surrounding this year's event as the horses line up to get in the spotlight.