Sand or photo in Patriot?

Breeders Crown winner Sand Vic and 2005 Hambletonian winner Vivid Photo will renew their rivalry as the headliners in a full 10-horse field for the $100,000 Patriot Invitational at Colonial Downs Friday, Oct. 13.

Sand Vic owns two narrow victories over Vivid Photo in important races this season. Sand Vic gamely held off Vivid Photo’s late charge by a neck in the Breeder’s Crown this July. The rivals switched tactics in the Allerage last Saturday but the result was the same as Sand Vic came from behind to beat frontstepping Vivid Photo by a nose.

Sand Vic has enjoyed a stellar 2006 campaign. The 5-year-old Mr. Vic horse has 10 wins from 14 starts and over $1 million in earnings for owner August Fredrik Miedel and trainer Trond Smedshammer. Sand Vic has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Regular driver Brian Sears will pilot from post position one.

Vivid Photo’s 3-year-old campaign was stellar by any measure. The S J’s Photo gelding won the Hambletonian and 15 other races in 25 starts and earned $1,481,020. Vivid Photo’s 2006 season has not yet been as productive but his narrow defeats to Sand Vic prove that he has not lost a step.

Vivid Photo has the advantage of a race over the Colonial’s unique one-turn mile last fall. Trainer-driver Roger Hammer has enjoyed great success at Colonial over the years and their familiarity with the trip could be all the edge Vivid Photo needs to reverse the narrow decisions against Sand Vic.

David J. McWhinnie’s Earl’s Charm K is the 6-1 third choice on the morning line. The 6-year-old Earl gelding comes into the Patriot riding a six-race win streak. Earl’s Charm most recently won the $50,000 Carney by three lengths at Rockingham. Regular driver Jonathan Roberts will be in the bike Friday. Scott Rollins trains Earl’s Charm K.

Pamela E. Wagner and Scott Woogen’s Lolique is just a neck away from a similar six-race win streak. Lolique annexed the $100,000 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes final in his most recent start. The 3-year-old Tagliabue gelding has eight wins in 15 starts this season. Manley Brown Jr. trains Lolique.

Dean Davis’ Dunkster finished second to Sand Vic in the American National final this August and has 15 wins in 26 starts this season for trainer-driver Kurt Sugg. The 7-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding drew post 10 for the Patriot.

JM Vangogh is the field’s third millionaire. The 6-year-old Earl horse has earned $1,110,522 for owners Paul Chambers and John W. Mello. Chambers trains JM Van Gogh.

Hope’s Victory, Sir Perseverance, Armbro Approach and Four Starz Robro round out the deep field. The Patriot is the fifth race at Colonial Friday. First post is 5 p.m. and the Patriot is slated for 6:24 p.m. (Colonial Downs)

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