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PROVIDENCE FORGE, Va. - Gio Ponit took the lead in the upper stretch and held off a brief run by Colonial Turf Cup winner Sailor's Cap and a more determined effort by Court Vision to win the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Saturday.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Mark Gormus

Gio Ponti (7) ridden by jockey G K Gomez held off Court Vision ridden by jockey K J Desormeaux to win The Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in New Kent County, Va., Saturday, July 19, 2008.

The stubborn colt by Tale of the Cat stonewalled Court Vision's inside shot at the wire with Kent Desormeaux aboard to prevail by a neck in 2:02.22.

Gio Ponit ended Sailor's Cap's pursuit of the Jacobs Investment US$5 million Grand Slam of Grass, which offers a $2-million bonus for the three-year-old that can win the Colonial Turf Cup, the Virginia Derby and two other races.

Going down the stretch for the first time in the 1 1/4-miles turf event, jockey Garrett Gomez focused on Sailor's Cap and front-running Baltimore Bob and Old Man Buck.

"I was keeping an eye on both," Gomez said. "I knew that they were going slow. I didn't want to give my horse too much to do. He places himself well and he's got a nice flowing stride. When I placed myself early on in the race, fairly close, I wasn't about to take that away from him. The idea was to keep an eye on Sailor's Cap."

The $750,000 Virginia Derby win was the second for Gomez and the first for trainer Christophe Clement and owner Castleton Lyons. Gomez won the 2006 Virginia Derby with Go Between.

Gio Ponit paid $5.20, 3.60 and 2.10. Court Vision returned $4.40 and $3, and favourite Sailor's Cap paid $2.20.