By DRF.com
ALBANY, Calif. (Aug. 8, 2020) — California-bred American Farmer ($20.40) got a dream trip as he rallied through the stretch and easily picked up his first stakes win in the $65,550 Robert Dupret Derby Saturday at the Wine Country meeting at Golden Gate Fields.
The victory was worth $39,400 to owner-breeders BKB Stables. American Farmer has two wins, a second, and three thirds in eight lifetime starts. He has career earnings of $97,722.
The runner-up to Azul Coast in the El Camino Real Derby went to the sidelines with minor shin problems after that race. He returned to action in a July 3 at Pleasanton, running third behind Dupret entrants Lookin for Revenge and Sacred Rider and had six- and five-furlong bullet works since that race.
American Farmer, a full brother to local stakes winner Blue Diva, drew the rail and was able to save ground while sitting comfortably in fourth behind Too Late and Lookin for Revenge.
Kyle Frey had plenty of horse as he eased out to the three path as the field turned for home as third-place runner Jedi Knight began to drop back. He took command in the stretch, scoring an easy 1 1/2-length victory. American Famer was timed in 1:44.38 for the 1 1/16-mile turf race, which was restricted to 3-year-olds.
Favored Sacred Rider rallied for second, holding off Returray, who was last, trailing by 10 lengths down the backstretch but came flying in the stretch.
While Frey seemed confident and relaxed with his position, trainer Steve Sherman, who is a co-owner of the colt, said he was nervous.
“I thought they were too close,” he said. “I was nervous. I didn’t know if he’d finish.”
Even as Frey made his move to get a clear in the three path in the stretch, Sherman was concerned.
“When he got outside and was in the clear, I was still worried someone would catch him,” said Sherman.
Sherman said the sharp works by the Bluegrass Cat colt since his comeback may have been why American Farmer was sitting closer and still finished strong.
“He’s not much of a work horse,” said Sherman. “If I don’t work him with anybody, sometimes he doesn’t get enough out of the work.”
Sherman said American Farmer’s workmate was Diamond Blitz, who also ran Saturday and won the 10th race, two races after American Farmer’s victory.