Style Points and Deep Satin Dead Heat in Virginia Oaks

New Kent, Va (Sept. 7, 2024) — In a nail-biting edition of the $250,000 Woodford Reserve Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs, Cheyenne Stable’s Style Points and John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services’ Deep Satin dueled down the stretch and were declared dead heat winners.

Trained by Christophe Clement, Style Points was ridden by Manny Franco, who won five stakes and seven races overall on Saturday’s program, including the New Kent County Virginia Derby (G3) one race later.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Deep Satin received the services of Mychel Sanchez.

The pair covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.15. Pendulum finished strong for third. Awesome Czech rounded out the superfecta.

Call Another Play kept his nose in front of Awesome Czech, rattling through the opening calls in :23.79 and :48.25. Deep Satin tracked in third with Style Points following her. Deep Stain made her move in the turn and took over at the top of the stretch, but in hot pursuit with Style Points soon engaged the leader and the pair went eyeball-to-eyeball, neither blinking through the wire.

“I followed the right horse the whole way,” Franco said. “I was following (Deep Satin). I thought I was going to go by but I have to give credit to the other filly who battled us to the wire.”

“I think she is still learning,” Sanchez said. “There is a lot of potential there. She made the lead super strong and she waited a bit for the competition. For a second it looked like Manny was going to blow by me but she came back and fought and fought and fought. It seemed like she knew where the wire was because she put her head down right then. I’m just glad we got the win for Cherie DeVaux and the owners.”

Style Points paid $4.00 and Deep Satin, the post-time favorite, paid $3.60.