Eagle Lake came from well off the pace in a large “thoroughbred-like” 12-horse field to capture the $6,000 first leg of the Virginians Pacing Series Wednesday evening at Colonial Downs

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Jason Thompson directed Eagle Lake from the rail and the five-year-old Artsplace horse settled in mid-pack until midway through the stretch. Caseys Lil Harry, who left from Post 10, shot to the front and posted brisk early fractions of :26, :55 and 1:23.2 before tiring. Driver Don Harmon faced an onslaught in the stretch and Caseys ended up finishing tenth.

Eagle Lake meanwhile stormed past five other pacers in deep stretch en route to a very tight win - a head - over Ricks Crossroads, who was sent off at 36-1 odds. Dogwood Ardle, the public betting choice, finished third, one-half length behind the winner.

The victor crossed in 1:51.3, a new life mark, while earning his 10th life triumph. Eagle Lake, who has won three of four at Colonial this fall, is owned by Aaron Merriman of Northfield, Ohio.

(Colonial Downs)