Ready Set by a head in West Virginia Derby

Ready Set edged Web Gem by a head Saturday to win the Grade 3, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park.

The top two finishers made strong inside moves in the action-filled race.

Recapturetheglory broke through the gate before the start and was quickly reloaded. The obviously eager colt got caught up in the early pace and ultimately faded to ninth.

When Recapturetheglory's bid failed, Cherokee Artist took charge on the final turn and looked poised to take the rich prize in only his fifth start.

In the end, the two colts who saved ground settled the issue.

Jorge Chavez aboard Web Gem filed an objection against Julien Laparoux on Ready Set that was swiftly dismissed by the stewards.

Ready Set ($11.20) earned his fourth win in 11 starts for Team Barbaro: the Lael Stable and trainer Michael Matz.

The time was 1:52.03 for the 1 1/8 miles on the fast track.

Real Appeal was third followed by Cherokee Artist, My Pal Charlie, Proud Kentuckian, I've Heard It All, Z Fortune, Recapturetheglory, Stolen Chevy, and Acting Zippy.

In other results: Terrain ($10.80) won the $85,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Stakes, Lacewell ($7.80) took $85,000 West Virginia Legislature Chairman's Cup Stakes, Awsugahnow ($15.40) captured $85,000 West Virginia Secretary of State Stakes, Corlett ($4.80) drew off to a 2 1/4-length win in the $85,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes, Shytoe Lafeet ($9.60) prevailed in the $110,000 West Virginia Senate President's Stakes, Are You Serious ($4.20) won $95,000 Harvey Arneault Memorial Stakes, Zanjero ($4) took the $125,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes, and Salinja ($6) captured West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker's Cup Stakes.