AS IF BY DESIGN: GIO PONTI WINS THE VIRGINIA DERBY (G2)

Jul 21st, 08
Tenacious Colt Builds Impressive Reputation

GIO PONTI (c. 3, Tale Of The Cat - Chipeta Springs by Alydar) added to his already impressive resume' with a thrilling victory in the $750,000 G2 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. Breaking smartly from the gate, the Christophe Clement trainee found great position sitting third or fourth on the outside through out the first mile. After racing 3 wide on both turns, Garrett Gomez set the colt down to take over the lead in the stretch. A determined Court Vision brushed GIO PONTI at the five sixteenths pole and the two colts dueled down the lane. After another brush in the deep stretch, GIO PONTI dug deep to hold on to victory beating Court Vision by a nose. This is the second graded stakes victory for the colt, who has now won 4 times from 5 starts! GIO PONTI is owned by Castleton Lyons and was bred by Kilboy Estate, both entities are owned by principal, Shane Ryan. His dam, Chipeta Springs, resides at Castleton Lyons and is in foal to Castleton Lyons' stallion, BERNSTEIN.

Lifetime: 5-4-0-0 $640,800

Gio Ponti (Hunter Green Silks)

Photo by Jeff Coady

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