CHAMPION trainer Jason DaCosta says the recent break from competitive racing given to his charge, I Am Fred, is the main contributor to the foreigner’s progression this season.

The five-year-old American-bred bay gelding I Am Fred, who returned from a three-month break on March 4, wrapped up his third-consecutive win from as many starts this season, delivering a scintillating run to put away the best on offer to win The Viceroy Trophy feature race on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Caymanas Park.

Ridden by Reyan Lewis, I Am Fred took control of the three-year-old and upward Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest over one mile (1,600m) at the top of the lane and ran rivals into the ground in deep stretch, putting away champion stayer Calculus and top-rated Mahogany by two lengths at the wire. I Am Fred stopped the clock in 1:38.2 (24.0 x 46.4 x 1:12.0).

“A mile is right up his street; and you know I Am Fred is fit as hands can make him be right now and so I was happy with the performance. I am definitely satisfied with the time that he ran as the short break from the season really did him well and so I am happy with the progress he has made this year,” DaCosta said.

“I Am Fred had three hard races pretty close together so far and so we are going to cool him out now. So, let’s see how he comes out of the race and we will pick a race for him in a month or two.

“I Am Fred is a good horse, and he always had issues but right now he is sound and happy,and he is versatile as he sprints and he goes a mile. He is just a good horse,” DaCosta added.

I Am Fred was smartly away at the start of the race, settling in third place behind stablemate King Arthur (Javaniel Patterson) who pressed Mahogany (Dane Dawkins) on the front end.

Nothing much changed in the running order down the backstretch as King Arthur continued to run as the rabbit on the lead, taking Mahogany out of his comfort zone all the way, with I Am Fred stalking the leaders in close touch.

As Mahogany surged to the front going into the half mile (800m), and it was then that Lewis let loose the notch aboard I Am Fred and the far-string runner went in chase of the leader and joined Mahogany on the lead approaching the distance.

I Am Fred hit the front full of running entering the drive, turned on the afterburners, and went about his business to register his third-consecutive victory from as many starts this season.

Based on riding strategies Lewis said that at no point during the running of the race was he worried as he was 100 per cent confident that the Golden Lad – Happy Hailey offspring I Am Fred would win the race.

“I wasn’t worried at any point during the race. I was coming from behind and so I knew my horse [I Am Fred] was going to be stronger up the lane because Mahogany had King Arthur pressing him on the headline.

“He [I Am Fred] responded well up the lane and he gave his all, and we must be grateful for that. The final time was also good, and the fact that I Am Fred did his best to win the race makes me satisfied with the time he ran as he was comfortable in the end,” Lewis said.