Solomon Bay by a nose in Dupret Derby

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Solomon Bay took advantage when a pace battle cooked 4-5 favorite Rosary Man, gamely prevailing in Saturday’s $53,550 Robert Dupret Derby at Santa Rosa.

Owned by the Joseph Morey Jr. Revocable Trust and trained by Bill Morey, Solomon Bay ($14.40) stalked in third as Rosary Man and Donji dueled up front in the 1 1/16-mile turf test for 3-year-olds. He pounced on the tiring leaders into the lane, opened up a clear lead, and then gamely held on by a nose under William Antongeorgi III to beat a rallying Gin Riki.

It was 1 3/4 lengths back to El Huerfano in third. Rosary Man, who had finished in the top three in all six of his prior starts, faded to last in the field of five. Extant scratched.

Solomon Bay ran the distance in 1:42.21. The winner’s share of $31,750 gives him earnings of $61,735 from two wins in seven starts.