The Churchill Downs ownership connections of Colonial Downs will be evident Saturday in New Kent County, where a sold-out crowd of 8,000-plus will see the most anticipated Virginia Derby day in track history.

Six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert's horse, Getaway Car, was an even-money favorite in the field of nine 3-year-old colts as of Friday afternoon for the $500,000 Virginia Derby, whose post time is 5:10 p.m. Saturday.

This will be Baffert's second Virginia Derby start; Senor Swinger placed fourth in 2002 when that race was 1 1/4 miles and on turf. It's now 1 1/8 miles on dirt and, for the first time, the victor will qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

The Virginia Derby will be the ninth race of a 10-race card starting at noon. The eighth race is the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, which is set to include eight 3-year-old fillies. The victor in that race will qualify for the Kentucky Oaks.

Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin will present trophies to the winners of the Derby and Oaks. They are longtime racing enthusiasts who support equine charities.

Getaway Car's top competition was expected to include John Hancock, who won the Sam F. Davis Stakes in February at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. But trainer Brad Cox opted to place John Hancock in the Louisiana Derby next week and scratched from the second starting spot at Colonial Downs.

All eyes will be on Getaway Car, son of 2007 and '08 American Horse of the Year Curlin. He won the Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico on Feb. 16.