Santa Rosa: Tribal Tribute handles new assignments in Robert Dupret Derby

Tribal Tribute was asked to do a number of new things Saturday in the $61,750 Robert Dupret Derby at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.

He answered all the questions positively as he won his stakes debut, beating favored Tiz Point by three-quarters of a length in the 1 1/16-mile turf race. It was also Tribal Tribute’s first try around two turns and first on the turf.

Tribal Tribute ($11.40), a Tribal Rule gelding, settled nicely into third behind pacesetting Coach Bob and Tiz Point.

Jockey Frank Alvarado moved him three wide outside the leaders coming into the stretch as Coach Bob began to fade. Tiz Point took the lead into the lane and came out a bit as Tribal Tribute came in slightly. The two bumped but continued dueling to the wire with Tribal Tribute edging clear late.

Tribal Tribute covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.04. Tiz Point was seven lengths in front of third-place finisher He’s Cagey.

The victory was Tribal Tribute’s third in six starts for owner Ken Heidt and trainer Tim McCanna. The Cal-bred earned $41,200 to increase his career earnings to $66,582.