by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Sent off as the heavy 1-5 heavy favorite in the Derby Italiano del Trotto at the Agnano track in Naples, the Dutch owned Robert Bi, driven by Robin Bakker, was an easy winner in a new race record.

Gerard Forni photo

Robert Bi was a winner in a new race record of 1:57f.

Robert Bi, a 3-year-old colt sired by Toss Out, could be the next superstar in the European trotting scene. It was just a walk in the park for him, winning the Derby over the 1-5/16th mile distance in a new race record of 1:57f; the old record was 1:57.3f.

Dutch reinsman Robin Bakker directed Robert Bi to the lead after the first five-eighths of the mile and Robert Bi won in a hand drive, followed three lengths back by Rod Stewart, driven by Enrico Bellei.

Robert Bi is trained in the Netherlands by Paul Hagoort and was bought at the ITS selected sale in Italy in 2011 for just $19,000.

Including Thursday’s win, which was worth $425,000, Robert Bi now has earnings of $670,000.

Robert Bi is a full brother to Oasis Bi 1:54.1f, and their dam, Up Front JM, is by Self Possessed.

The filly division was won by Lou Guida-bred, but Danish owned Red Rose America (sired by Varenne), driven by Enrico Bellei in 1:57.2f and the international trot, Gala Internazionale del Trotto, was won by Mack Grace SM, driven by Roberto Andreghetti. This was the 12th win in a row for Mack Grace SM, who picked up a check of $175,000 for the win.