by Jeff Apel

Multiple graded stakes winner Gio Ponti gamely turned back Court Vision in an intense stretch duel and earned a hard-fought nose victory in the $772,500 Virginia Derby (G2) on Saturday at Colonial Downs.

Gio Ponti opened a 1 1/2-length lead in early stretch of the 1 1/4-mile turf race but was quickly confronted by multiple graded stakes winner Court Vision, who made his second career start on turf.

Gio Ponti was positioned on the outside of Court Vision in the stretch and earned his second consecutive graded stakes win after brushing an equally determined foe near the finish.

Trained by Christophe Clement for owner Castleton Lyons, Gio Ponti entered off a win in the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) on June 6 at Belmont Park. The Tale of the Cat colt has raced exclusively on turf in a five-start career that includes four victiories.

Old Man Buck and Baltimore Bob dueled for the lead in the Virginia Derby through one mile in 1:38.18. Gio Ponti dropped back to fourth through a half-mile in :49.15 and brushed Court Vision approaching the stretch.

Gio Ponti was positioned three wide on both turns by jockey Garrett Gomez. Maintaining a slight edge in the closing strides, the bay colt narrowly prevailed in 2:02.22 on firm turf.

Court Vision finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of third-place finisher Sailor’s Cap, the 1.30-to-1 favorite who entered off a 6 3/4-length victory in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (G3) on soft turf on June 21.

Gio Ponti was unbeaten in his first two career starts, including a victory in the Woodford Reserve Bourbon Stakes on October 7 at Keeneland Race Course. The colt concluded his two-year-old campaign with an unplaced finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on October 26 at Monmouth Park.

Gio Ponti increased his earnings to $640,800. Bred in Kentucky by Kilboy Estate, Gio Ponti is a half brother to multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner Fisher Pond and is one of six winners from ten starters out of stakes-placed winner Chipeta Springs, by Alydar.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor