the 07/21/2008

Gio Ponit holds off Sailor's Cap and wins Virginia Derby at ...

Gio Ponit holds off Sailor's Cap and wins Virginia Derby atColonial Downs

3 hours ago

PROVIDENCE FORGE, Va. — Gio Ponit took the lead in the upperstretch and held off a brief run by Colonial Turf Cup winnerSailor's Cap and a more determined effort by Court Vision to winthe Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Saturday.

The stubborn colt by Tale of the Cat stonewalled Court Vision'sinside shot at the wire with Kent Desormeaux aboard to prevail by aneck in 2:02.22.

Gio Ponit ended Sailor's Cap's pursuit of the Jacobs InvestmentUS$5 million Grand Slam of Grass, which offers a $2-million bonusfor the three-year-old that can win the Colonial Turf Cup, theVirginia Derby and two other races.

Going down the stretch for the first time in the 1 1/4-miles turfevent, jockey Garrett Gomez focused on Sailor's Cap andfront-running Baltimore Bob and Old Man Buck.

"I was keeping an eye on both," Gomez said. "I knew that they weregoing slow. I didn't want to give my horse too much to do. Heplaces himself well and he's got a nice flowing stride. When Iplaced myself early on in the race, fairly close, I wasn't about totake that away from him. The idea was to keep an eye on Sailor'sCap."

The $750,000 Virginia Derby win was the second for Gomez and thefirst for trainer Christophe Clement and owner Castleton Lyons.Gomez won the 2006 Virginia Derby with Go Between.

Gio Ponit paid $5.20, 3.60 and 2.10. Court Vision returned $4.40and $3, and favourite Sailor's Cap paid $2.20.