Deterministic expanded his résumé Saturday when he won his first turf race in the Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby, which was one of seven winners on the Colonial Downs card for his rider, Manny Franco.
There were a total of six turf stakes on the final program of the meet, and the New York-based Franco won five of them. His victories included the $250,000 Virginia Oaks in a dead-heat with mount Style Points, who like Deterministic is trained by Christophe Clement.
The races were the richest among the six stakes worth a total of $1.3 million.
Deterministic ($4) was a neck winner over Grand Mo the First in what was the final turf edition of the Virginia Derby. Next year, the race will be a qualifier for the Kentucky Derby and will be held on March 15, according to an official with Colonial.
Deterministic, who spent time on the Kentucky Derby trail this year with a win in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct in March, transitioned to turf two starts ago. He placed in a pair of stakes on the grass in efforts that made him the favorite Saturday.
Deterministic raced in fifth in the early stages as Izzy d’Oro jumped out to a clear lead and put up fractions of 24.12 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.47 for the half-mile, and 1:12.04 for six furlongs. Deterministic advanced on the final turn, was angled out into the stretch by Franco, and caught Grand Mo the First nearing the wire. The final time for the 1 1/8 miles on firm ground was 1:47.76.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a hotter jock on a horse than Manny from today,” co-owner Steven Duncker said in a post-race interview broadcast by Colonial. “Tremendous ride from him. So, we’re over the moon, all the owners.”
Duncker races Deterministic with St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, and Vicarage Stable.
The Virginia Derby was the second stakes win for Deterministic, a son of Liam’s Map who overall is 3 for 7 for earnings of $667,750.
Franco’s big day started in the fourth race, when his mount, runner-up Patrick’s Promise ($10.20), was elevated to first on a disqualification in an overnight race. From there, Franco guided Truly Quality ($4.60) to victory in the Colonial Cup; Siesta Key ($4.20) to a win in the Kitten’s Joy; and Isivunguvungu ($6) to victory in the Da Hoss. Franco then shared the win in the Virginia Oaks, took the Virginia Derby, and closed out the 12-race card aboard winner Mrs. Astor ($3).
Colonial plans to have a major turf race for 3-year-olds next fall, said Frank Hopf, senior director of racing operations for Colonial. It has yet to be named.
* Colonial honored its title winners at the end of the card, with Godolphin the leading owner at the meet; Michael Trombetta the leading trainer; and Ben Curtis the leading jockey.
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