Sat Jul 21 22:57:24 2007

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Photo-finish decides Virginia Derby

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New Kent, VA (Sports Network) - Long-shot Red Giant caught Strike the Deal at the wire to capture Saturday's 10th edition of the $1 million Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. The time for the 1 1/4 miles on the turf was 1:59.62, a new track record.

Red Giant, ridden by Horacio Karamanos, was sent off as a 37-1 long-shot in the 10 horse field. The favorite was Louisiana Derby winner Circular Quay at 9-5. Strike a Deal, second here in the Colonial Cup, was the 9-2 third choice.

Setting the pace in the Virginia Derby was Inca King followed by Strike a Deal, Blazing Dynamo and Red Giant. Circular Quay was running ninth followed by the 4-1 second pick Duveen.

Around the turn for home Strike a Deal took the lead from Inca King and appeared to be safely in front. At the top of the stretch Strike a Deal, with jockey Ramon Dominguez, opened a two-length margin over the field.

Inside the furlong pole Red Giant began his move to the leader. The long-shot caught Strike a Deal with a 100 yards to run. The two colts battled to the wire and could not be separated at the finish.

The photo revealed that Red Giant won by a nose over Strike a Deal. Soldier's Dancer was third with Colonial Cup champ Summer Doldrums fourth. Rounding out the order of finish was Blazing Dynamo, Circular Quay, Duveen, Love Dubai, Inca King and Top Cross.

The win by Red Giant gives trainer Todd Pletcher his second in this race. Pletcher saddled English Channel to victory two years ago. Pletcher also had Circular Quay and Top Cross in this year's race.

The win was worth $600,000 to bring Red Giant's career earnings to $712,410. The chestnut colt has won four of eight lifetime starts, the last five on the turf. He has won his last three starts including the Restoration Stakes last month at Monmouth Park.

Owned by Peachtree Stable, Red Giant broke the course and stakes record of 1:59.74 set last year by Go Between.

Red Giant returned $76.00, $28.00 and $10.20. Strike a Deal paid $5.60 and $3.40, and Soldier's Dancer paid $9.20 to show.

In the companion Virginia Oaks, Eclipse Award winner Dreaming of Anna went wire-to-wire in winning the 1 1/8 mile turf race. Ridden by Eddie Baird, the three-year-old filly covered the distance in 1:47.38.

Sent off as the 3-1 third choice, the 2006 champion two-year-old filly paid $8.40 to win. New Edition was second followed by the 5-2 second pick Christmas Kid with the 2-1 favorite Bit of Whimsy finishing fourth in the 12 horse field.