Go Between sets course record in derby

Go Between shook loose in the lane to win the Grade 2, $1 million on Saturday at Colonial Downs in course-record time.

Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Garrett Gomez, Go Between drew clear to score a 1 3/4-length victory over Seaside Retreat.

The time was 1:59.74 for the 1 1/4 miles on firm turf, lowering the mark of 1:59.97 set by Phi Beta Doc in 1999.

The Virginia Derby was the second $1 million grass race of the season for 3-year-olds at Colonial Downs. Showing Up, winner of the Colonial Turf Cup, remained in Barclay Tagg's barn at Belmont Park. That decision turned the Virginia Derby into a wide-open affair.

The race unfolded much differently than the Turf Cup, where Kip Deville set a suicidal pace under Quincy Hamilton while opening up by 15 lengths. With Kip Deville blazing along, Go Between made up a lot of ground to get third, four lengths behind Showing Up.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. changed riders on Kip Deville, switching to Rafael Bejarano, who set a more reasonable pace.

The slower pace also kept more horses in the race, including Go Between, who was a covered-up third until sprung free in the lane to hit Mott's long-range target.

"He's been running well all year," Mott said. "Last year about this time, we started pointing him to this race. Every once in a while, you start talking about something and it works out. This was a major goal for this horse for this season, and right now, it's mission accomplished."

Spider Power was third, followed by Manchu Prince, Proudinsky, Kip Deville, Roman Dynasty, Yate's Black Cat, Sir Classic Chris, and Readily.

Oaks: Aunt Henny by a nose

Aunt Henny squeezed out a nose win over May Night in the $200,000 for 3-year-old fillies.

Aunt Henny ($4), ridden by Bejarano, saved ground while racing close up. She angled out on the final turn and opened a clear lead as May Night made a determined late run.

Michael Matz trains Aunt Henny, who ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.11.