Virginia Derby: Deterministic, Grand Mo the First lead field of 12

Made the top two choices on the morning line, Deterministic and Grand Mo the First headline a competitive field of 12 entered in the Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby, one of six turf stakes Saturday at Colonial Downs. Both qualified for the Kentucky Derby, and both have transitioned to grass for the second half of their 3-year-old campaigns.

The local derby, at 1 1/8 miles over the turf course, is scheduled as race 10 of the 12-race Virginia Derby day program, which is seeded with $1.3 million in stakes purses. Next year, as a 50-point race on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby will transition to the dirt track and be held on March 15, anchoring a new spring meet at Colonial Downs.

After running fifth in the Peter Pan (G3), Deterministic has run twice on the lawn. The Gotham (G3) winner trained by Christophe Clement rallied to finish 3/4 length shy of Neat for a second-place finish in the Manila (G3). One of three Virginia Derby entrants who exit the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1), including Fulmineo and Izzy d’Oro, Deterministic again demonstrated his ability to produce a late bid on the grass to finish third. Tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite, the Liam’s Map colt will receive the services of Manny Franco.

When the connections of Deterministic decided not to run in the Kentucky Derby, it opened a spot in the starting gates for Grand Mo the First, who had earned his qualifying points running third in both the Florida Derby (G1) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3). After his run for the roses, trainer Victor Barbosa Jr. returned the Uncle Mo colt to the turf for his next start, and Grand Mo the First triumphed in the Bear’s Den at Gulfstream Park in August. Paco Lopez gets the call aboard the 4-1 second choice in the morning line.

Two up-and-comers who add to the intrigue in the Virginia Derby are Zverev, who finished three lengths back last out in the Hall of Fame (G2) at Saratoga for Cherie DeVaux, and Herchee, who is 2-for-2 for trainer Helen Pitts.

Coverage of the Virginia Derby at Horse Racing Nation is made possible in part through a sponsorship by Colonial Downs.