Right about 5:35 p.m. on Saturday, fans of thoroughbred racing from across the county and around the world will turn their attention toward Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort for the 51st running of the West Virginia Derby.
It’s a Grade III stakes race, which means the field will be among the best racing anywhere this weekend. Contested across 11/8 miles, the race offers a purse of $500,000. This year’s field of seven 3-year-olds will include Mr. Wireless, winner of the Indiana Derby, and Bourbonic, winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes.
The derby is the biggest horse race of the year in West Virginia, and will be the eighth race on a nine-race card that will begin at 2 p.m. Included on that card will be the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes, also a Grade III race, and other turf and dirt races. The total purse for the afternoon will be $1,075,000.
Saturday’s event will be the latest chapter in a race that was first run in 1923 at the Tri-State Fairgrounds near Barboursville. After bouncing around to other tracks, it was first run at Waterford Park, as Mountaineer was then known, more than 50 years ago.
There will be a different feel to this year’s derby. While last year’s race had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, fans will be welcomed back this year, although everyone who attends will need to have a ticket. There will be food trucks and other activities to enjoy during the afternoon. Thousands of racing fans traditionally have made the trip to Chester to enjoy the festivities. Even more will get to watch the broadcast live, which will direct additional attention to the region.
The West Virginia Derby offers a great opportunity to shine a positive light on the Northern Panhandle and the Tri-State Area. Its continued success and ability to stand the test of time stands as a tribute to the men and women who work hard to bring quality entertainment to the region.
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August 06, 2021 at 11:18AM
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Derby shines a light on our area | News, Sports, Jobs - The Daily Times
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