Deterministic wins Virginia Derby; Franco takes 7 on card
New Kent, Va.
Class showed in the Virginia Derby on Saturday at Colonial Downs as three of the four stakes winners in the field of nine completed the trifecta in the closing-day feature. Even-money favorite Deterministic, the only graded-stakes winner in the field, was the best of all, wearing down Grand Mo the First in deep stretch to win the Grade 3, $500,000 turf race.
Click here for Colonial Downs entries and results.
That it happened on a day when his rider Manny Franco had seven winners made it all the more special.
“Every time I come prepared with a good mind, which gives me a good chance to win races,” Franco said. “I had a big day today. I want to say thanks to all the trainers who brought me here. I’m just happy. All the horses were running good. The turf course is perfect. (After each race) I just kept looking forward to keep my momentum.”
For Deterministic, it was the first win in five tries since he finished first in the Gotham Stakes (G3) and was once one of the top futures choices for the Kentucky Derby.
“We thought about training up to the Kentucky Derby after winning the Gotham since he had the points, but that had never been done before, and (trainer) Christophe Clément decided on a prep in the Wood (G2 at Aqueduct),” said Steven Duncker, who co-owns the Liam’s Map colt with Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone and Kevin Warsh’s Vicarage Stable. “He ran about as bad as you could run in that race, and we gave him another chance in the Peter Pan (G2 at Aqueduct), and that didn’t go well either.
“Christophe said his action on the turf was as good as he’d ever seen in a horse, so we went that route, and it really worked out today.”
Deterministic placed in a pair of graded stakes on turf following his Triple Crown prep duds in April and May. He finally broke through with a Virginia Derby score under Franco. He ran in mid-pack most of the race and looked in danger of being shuffled back on the far turn before finding an opening and outrunning Grand Mo the First to the wire.
“I was a little worried about getting position, but he was relaxed for me, and when I asked him, he really responded,” Franco said. “I really wasn’t worried about anyone running me down. I knew I had to get to the leader (Grand Mo the First), and my horse was trying, and I knew I was going to get it.”
Franco became just the second rider in the history of Colonial Downs to notch a seven-bagger. Mario Pino was the other in July 2002. His day included a dead-heat victory with Style Points in the Virginia Oaks, in which he rode Style Points to an even finish with Mychel Sánchez and Deep Satin.
Franco’s big day
| No. | Horse | Race | Plc. | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Abadin | 2nd Alw OC | 6th | Michael Maker | 4-1 |
| 4 | Patrick’s Promise | 4th MSW | 1st | Christophe Clément | 4-1 |
| 5 | Truly Quality | 5th Colonial Cup | 1st | Jonathan Thomas | 6-5 |
| 6 | Out On Bail | 6th Rosie’s | 2nd | Mike Maker | 4-1 |
| 7 | Siesta Key | 7th Kitten’s Joy | 1st | Brad Cox | *1-1 |
| 8 | Isivunguvungu | 8th Da Hoss | 1st | Graham Motion | *2-1 |
| 9 | Style Points | 9th Virginia Oaks | 1st+ | Christophe Clément | 3-1 |
| 10 | Deterministic | 10th Virginia Derby (G3) | 1st | Christophe Clément | *1-1 |
| 12 | Mrs. Astor | 11th Alw OC | 1st | Jonathan Thomas | 3-1 |
| +Dead heat *Favorite |
“I’ve been fortunate to be involved with a lot of good jockeys,” said Duncker, the former board chairman of the New York Racing Association. “I don’t think I’ve ever been involved with one this hot.”
Duncker said that he suspected Clément would not be in a hurry to return to Grade 1 competition, which at this stage of the year would mean facing older horses.
“It’s so hard to win races like this. I’m going to enjoy this one before worrying about the next one,” Duncker said. “We’ll probably stay on turf for now, but don’t be surprised if we try him in a one-turn, long sprint race on the dirt again. His first two career starts showed how special he is.”
Grand Mo the First saved ground throughout the Virginia Derby and never could find a seam up the rail under Paco López. He swung out into the stretch and struck the lead but was no match for Deterministic late.
Like Deterministic, Grand Mo the First was on the Triple Crown trail, finishing a nonthreatening 18th in the Kentucky Derby after third-place finishes in the Swale, Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Florida Derby (G1). Now he is 1-for-3 on turf but never finished worse than third.
Coverage at Horse Racing Nation of the Virginia Derby was made possible in part through a sponsorship by Colonial Downs.