No sweat for I Am Fred
Published:Sunday | May 1, 2022 | 12:12 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
I AM FRED made light work of rivals in yesterday’s World Veterinary Day Trophy, pulling to the lead early down the backstretch and sprinting clear for a nine-length victory at a mile.
Returning with the distance and handicaps in his favour, after placing third in the fast-run Easter Cup Sprint on April 18, the four-year-old United States-bred gelding had things easy on the lead with Phillip Parchment.
ATLANTIC BLUE tried chasing but was no match for 3-5 favourite I AM FRED, who coasted into the lane and opened up under his showboating rider, handing stakes leader Jason DaCosta his second winner on the 11-race card.
DaCosta, who started the day $1.8 million clear of champion Anthony Nunes, had earlier landed the second event with 2-5 favourite DEN STREET, who stayed on strongly to beat AZARIA in a $750,000 claiming event at six furlongs.
Champion jockey Anthony Thomas, who was aboard DEN STREET, closed a two-timer with even-money favourite BIN LADEN in the fourth, moving to 31 wins atop the standings.
DRIVING FINISH
Thomas was, however, overshadowed by Tevin Foster’s three-timer. Foster opened the card in a driving finish with 7-1 chance VICTORIASMEDALLION, turning back 60-1 outsider BLUE SEAS at five and a half furlongs.
A 2-1 chance-ride, POKER STAR in the sixth, handed Foster his second winner, closing in mid-track with the 10-year-old to outfinish HAIL MARY and FOUR THOUSAND at five furlongs straight among $180,000 claimers.
Foster moved to 19 wins and fourth in the riders’ standings by piloting Nunes’ BERN NOTICE to a battling victory over T BRADY in the eighth, winning by a length and quarter at odds of 5-1.
Racing continues at the weekend with back-to-back meets, Saturday and Sunday.