Red Giant Smashes Track Record in Virginia Derby

July 21, 2007

Red Giant out-dueled Strike a Deal in a thrilling head to head stretch battle to capture the $1,000,000 Virginia Derby (gr. II) by a nose Saturday July 21 at Colonial Downs.

Red Giant was dismissed at 37-1 as part of a three-horse uncoupled entry for trainer Todd Pletcher but ran like an odds-on favorite, breaking the track record with a 1:59.62 clocking after 1¼-miles on the Secretariat Turf Course. 

Horacio Karamanos picked up the mount on Red Giant less than six hours before post time and Colonial’s all-time leading jockey made the most of the opportunity, earning the biggest win of his career by guiding the Giant’s Causeway colt to a perfect trip around the Secretariat Turf Course.

“I got a chance.  I run, I win, I’m so happy for that,” Karamanos said.

Red Giant broke well and settled into a nice stalking trip, racing in the clear in fourth behind pacesetter Inca King for the first mile of the Virginia Derby.  Inca King took a clear lead into the first turn and was able to set a relaxed pace, getting the opening quarter in 24.47 and the half in 48.91.  Strike a Deal applied minimal pressure, racing a length and a half back in second through the first three-quarters.  Blazing Dynamo was third down the backstretch and Red Giant was about four lengths back in fourth entering the far turn.

Strike a Deal turned up the heat on Inca King on the far turn and was able to get a head in front as they turned for home.  Inca King quickly tired and Strike a Deal quickly opened up a 1 ½-length lead in upper stretch but Karamanos tipped Red Giant out at the head of the lane and began to slowly wear down Strike a Deal. 

Strike a Deal fought back very gamely under Ramon Dominguez but Red Giant won the head bob on the wire.  Soldier’s Dancer closed for third, four lengths behind the top two and Colonial Turf Cup winner Summer Doldrums was another three-quarters of a length back in fourth.  Circular Quay, the 9-5 favorite, finished sixth in his turf debut. 

The Virginia Derby loss was the second straight heartbreaking defeat for Strike a Deal at Colonial Downs.  The Smart Strike colt lost the $750,000 Colonial Turf Cup (gr. III) by a head on June 16.  “He tried hard.  He’s just as good as any of these other horses.  He’s a super horse.  We just got a little late today,” Dominguez said of Strike a Deal. 

Red Giant picked up his first graded stakes win in the Virginia Derby and more than quintupled his career earnings to $712,410 for owner Peachtree Stable. 

Karamanos won four races Saturday, including the $60,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes aboard Jungle Fighter.  The 34-year-old rider surpassed his own record for single-season purse earnings, boosting his 2007 Colonial bankroll to $1,296,997. 

“This is my home, the people like it, they like me.  This my sixth year I come here.  I’ve been very comfortable at this track,” Karamanos said.