Trio takes rivalry from dirt to turf in Robert Dupret Derby

Eight 3-year-olds line up Saturday in the $50,000 Robert Dupret Derby at Golden Gate Fields, including the top three finishers from an entry-level allowance race July 3 at Pleasanton.

A 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds, the Robert Dupret Derby is being run as part of Golden Gate’s Wine Country Racing meet in conjunction with the Sonoma County Fair.

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Lookin for Revenge scored a front-running victory in that July 3 optional claimer on dirt at Pleasanton after winning a maiden race over the Tapeta at Golden Gate. He has been part of the exacta in his last four starts, all two-turn races, including a second in a maiden race on the Golden Gate turf in May.

“He can run on anything, like all good horses,” said trainer Brendan Galvin, who works his own horses. “I always felt he was a nice horse. He likes the game, and he’s been training very good.”

Sacred Rider was second to Lookin for Revenge as the odds-on favorite at Pleasanton. He has been the runner-up in two stakes and has two wins and a second in four starts over the course.

Sacred Rider rallied wide at Pleasanton, making up 3 3/4 lengths in the final furlong and finishing 1 1/4 lengths behind Lookin for Revenge.

“He had a crappy trip” trainer Steve Specht said.

Sacred Rider is by Lucky Pulpit and out of the multiple stakes winner Lady Railrider.

“He’s ready to go, and like his dam can run on any surface,” Specht said. “I think he’s a little better on turf.”

American Farmer was third in the Pleasanton race in his first start since running second in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 15. He has two bullet works since the Pleasanton race.

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American Farmer began his career with two turf races at Golden Gate, including a rallying third going a mile in his debut.

“We put a stop on him after the El Camino because he had some shin issues,” said American Farmer’s trainer, Steve Sherman. “I don’t know if turf is his specialty, but he ran well on it in his debut.”

A full brother to local stakes winner Blue Diva, American Farmer looks “sharp and racy” after looking a little heavy for his comeback, Sherman said.

Other contenders in the Robert Dupret Derby include Southern California import Too Late; Awesome Summer, who was second to Sacred Rider in a May 24 turf race here; and Governance, who edged Sacred Rider in a first-level allowance on turf here May 30.