Golden Yank wins 20th Oklahoma Derby, still undefeated at Remington Park

For Immediate Release
Sunday, October 19, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - Golden Yank loves Remington Park.

The 3-year-old returned to race in Oklahoma City for the first time this year, in search of his first win of 2008. He found it in the biggest race the state offers... the $350,000 Oklahoma Derby presented by News9.

Owned by Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust of Lexington, Ky. and trained by Gary Thomas, Golden Yank was ridden by Jamie Theriot.

The 3-year-old gelding moved from the back of the pack to win the biggest race of his career. Running ninth after a quarter-mile, Theriot moved Golden Yank into position to make his run as the 12-horse field moved into the final turn of the 1-1/8 miles event.

Snug and Acting Zippy worked together on the front end to set quick fractions throughout the early stages of the Oklahoma Derby. The pair battled a quarter-mile in :22.99, a half-mile in :46.61 and six furlongs in 1:10.91. The quick pace set up for those that preferred to come off the pace and it played right into the skills of Golden Yank.

"I did expect a big race from him," Theriot said. "This race just set up for his running style. He got over the surface really well and had a solid quarter of a mile run today."

Golden Yank fired his run as the field left the turn and at the top of the stretch he was fourth and moving. Acting Zippy took the lead away from a tiring Snug and tried to hold off the late charge of Golden Yank but could not as he took control midway through the stretch before going on to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:50.47 over the fast track.

The favored Tiz Now Tiz Then closed in the stretch but could not get to the winner, settling for second. Acting Zippy held third with Real Appeal running late to make fourth-place.

The second-choice in the wagering at 3-1 odds, Golden Yank paid $8.40 to win, $3.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Tiz Now Tiz Then, the beaten 2-1 wagering favorite, pair $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Acting Zippy returned $6.60 to show.

The exacta (Nos.10-5) paid $23, the quinella (5-10) paid $11.20 with the trifecta (10-5-11) good for $240.20. The superfecta (10-5-11-2) paid $1,156.20.

The Oklahoma Derby win was the third win in as many starts at Remington Park for Golden Yank. As a 2-year-old last year, he broke his maiden status at first-asking before winning the Remington-MEC Mile, the track's top 2-year-old race. By winning the Derby, Golden Yank becomes just the second horse to win the Remington-MEC Mile and then the Oklahoma Derby.

Going Ballistic was the first horse to turn the trick, winning the Mile and the Derby in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

A son of Yankee Gentleman from the Strike the Gold mare Golden Charm, Golden Yank won his fourth career race from 12 starts. The winner's share of $210,000 pushes Golden Yank's lifetime bank to $593,516.

It was the first Oklahoma Derby win for all of connections of Golden Yank.