|
|
Red Giant shocks in Virginia Derby in course-record time Peachtree Stable's RED GIANT (Giant's Causeway) reached full gear in the final furlong and got the best of an exciting stretch run with Strike a Deal (Smart Strike) to take the $1 million Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs by a nose on Saturday. Disregarded at 37-1 on the toteboard, the sophomore colt rated in fourth early, as Inca King (Sir Cat) led the way through fractions of :24 2/5, :48 4/5 and 1:12 4/5 for the opening six panels. Strike a Deal, who tracked in second early, took advantage approaching the final turn, reaching one mile in 1:36 and held the lead until the final jumps when a valiant Red Giant found just enough. The final time for the 1 1/4 miles over firm turf was a course-record 1:59 3/5. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Horacio Karamanos, the chestnut paid $76, $28 and $10.20 while topping the $338.60 exacta, $5,114.40 trifecta and $19,390 superfecta (3-2-6-9). Strike a Deal ran a winning race in defeat, finishing four lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. The 9-2 shot was worth $5.60 and $3.40. Soldier's Dancer (Lost Soldier) saved ground on the inside but could not match strides with the top pair late, paying $9.20 for the show at 22-1. Summer Doldrums (Street Cry [Ire]) rallied belatedly in fourth, capping the super as the 6-1 fourth choice. Blazing Dynamo (Dynaformer) was next and followed by 9-5 favorite Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch), Duveen (Horse Chestnut [SAf]), Love Dubai (E Dubai), Inca King and Top Cross (Gone West). Red Giant earned his second consecutive stakes triumph, following a score in the Restoration S. at Monmouth last out. The well-bred colt sports an 8-4-1-1 lifetime mark, and increased his earnings by more than five times, to $712,410. The winner was bred in Kentucky by Edward and Marilyn Seltzer and brought the gavel down at $350,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Produced from the multiple stakes-placed Beyond the Sun (Kingmambo), Red Giant was preceded in stakes glory by his half-brother Carnera (Old Trieste) and has an unraced juvenile half-brother named Shan Naa (Forest Wildcat). This is the same female family as Group 1 winners Bosra Sham (Woodman), Act One (In the Wings [GB]), Hector Protector (Woodman), Shanghai (Procida), Ciro (Woodman) and Passinetti (Slew O' Gold).
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
