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NEW KENT, Virginia (Ticker) - The late scratches of Steppenwolfer and Genre had jockey Garrett Gomez and Go Between itching to win the $1 million Virginia Derby in record-setting fashion, in Saturday at second leg of the Grand Slam of Grass at Colonial Downs.
It was the third Virginia Derby win for owner Peter Vegso and trainer Bill Mott, who also teamed up with brothers Orchard Park in 2002 and Silver Tree in 2003.
“I think it’s that sign out there that says ‘Virginia is for Horse Lovers,’” Vesgo said. “When I saw that sign out there, I said, ‘This is my kind of town.’”
A quick early pace helped Go Between set a course record for 1 1/4 miles of 1:59.74, edging the old mark of 1:59.97 by Phi Beta Doc in 1999.
The Grade II race for 3-year-olds followed a similar script to the series-opening Colonial Turf Cup, in which Kip Deville sped to the front but eventually gave way to Showing Up, who did not show up here.
Go Between was third in that race here three weeks ago and was looking for a better effort Saturday, especially after Steppenwolfer and Genre were pulled late to reduce the field to 10.
Although inexperienced on turf, Steppenwolfer was the 7-2 favorite, having finished third in the Kentucky Derby, fourth in the Belmont Stakes and second in the Arkansas Derby. A 5-1 choice, Genre came in from California and was coming off a half-length win in the Grade III Cinema Breeders’ Cup on June 25.
Go Between returned $8.60, $4.20 and $3.40. Seaside Retreat paid $7.60 and $5.40 and Ireland entry Spider Power showed for $6.40 with Jose Santos aboard.
NEW KENT, Virginia (Ticker) - The late scratches of Steppenwolfer and Genre had jockey Garrett Gomez and Go Between itching to win the $1 million Virginia Derby in record-setting fashion, in Saturday at second leg of the Grand Slam of Grass at Colonial Downs.
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