I Am Fred — the Jason DaCosta-conditioned, American-bred bay gelding — turned in a superlative performance to win the $1.05-million World Veterinary Day Trophy feature race at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Ridden by journeyman Phillip Parchment, I Am Fred (Golden Lad–Happy Hailey) made almost every post a winning one in a dominating, 9-length win during the three-year-old and upward Overnight Allowance event over one mile (1,600m).

I Am Fred came away in good order at the off as he sat in third place behind Curlin’s Affair (Tevin Foster) and Raw Liquide (Youville Pinnock). Eventually, I Am Fred surged to the front under a tight hold going away from the intersection at the seven-furlong (1,400m) pole, and easily led Loose Ball (Javaniel Patterson), Atlantic Blue (Paul Francis) and Raw Liquid down the backstretch.

As expected, the pace increased leaving the half mile and I Am Fred began to open up on rivals navigating that turn. The fleet-footed four-year-old then turned on the pressure in deep stretch and powered home to score by a wide margin in the end in a time of 1:38.3 for the distance.

Curlin’s Affair, prominent throughout the trip, finished in second place with Atlantic Blue holding his gallop well for third place. It was the fifth win from 12 career starts for I Am Fred on local soil, earning over $3 million in Stakes.

It was the second win on the 11-race card for DaCosta as the current leading conditioner had earlier won with Den Street (Anthony Thomas) in the day’s second race. Both Den Street and I Am Fred are groomed by Shaquille Skeen.

Thomas also won two races when he booted home Bin Laden for trainer Fitzroy Glispie in the fourth race.

However, it was apprentice Tevin Foster who was the pick among the riders with a three-timer. Foster was aboard Victoriasmedallion for trainer Leroy Tomlinson in the opening event, secured a chance ride aboard Poker Star in the sixth race for trainer Fitzgerald Richards, and took control of the reigns of Bern Notice in the eighth race for champion trainer Anthony Nunes.

Racing continues next weekend, with races on Saturday featuring the Portmore Cup and on Sunday featuring the Kingston Cup as the “Road to the Triple Crown” continues for the native-bred three-year-olds.

— Ruddy Allen