West Virginia Derby

Horseraces infobox
class = Grade III
horse race = West Virginia Derby


caption =
location = Mountaineer Park
Chester, 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 American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, 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 in Huntington, West Virginia (1923, 1924, 1926)
* Wheeling Downs in Wheeling, 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.