Derby Nominee Gold Niner rolls in allowance, Berry Wins 4

For Immediate Release
Saturday, October 11, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - Gold Niner, a nominee to next week's $350,000 Oklahoma Derby, presented by News9, looked sharp in winning a $29,900 allowance on Saturday night at Remington Park. However, by racing and winning, it becomes unlikely that he'll return for the state's top Thoroughbred race on just eight days rest.

Owned by Karen and Mickey Beare of Hartshorne, Okla. and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Gold Niner was ridden by Cliff Berry to a 3-1/4 length win over Seekingreenandgold. The 3-year-old tracked the battling pacesetters The Robards Rebel and Broadway Limited through the first six furlongs of the 1 mile-70 yards before moving for the front out of the final turn.

The 3-year-old Gold Niner covered the distance in 1:41.16 over the fast track in defeating eight foes, four of them older runners.

Away as the wagering favorite at 8-5 odds, Gold Niner paid $5.40 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Seekingreenandgold paid $6 to place and $4 to show. Senior gained late for third and paid $3 to show.

A Kentucky-bred gelding by Ecton Park from the Dehere mare Gold Bar, Gold Niner won his fourth career race from 11 attempts. The score was his second this season at Remington Park at the 1 mile-70 yards distance and his third win overall here. The winner's check of $17,772 boosted Gold Niner's lifetime mark to $62,864.

Gold Niner was one of four winners on the night for Berry who surged up the jockey standings with the quadruple. He also visited the winner's circle with Stylish Music ($4.20 to win) in the third race, Yankee Preacher ($6.60) in the fifth and Candy Necklace ($3.20) in the ninth.

Berry's four wins on Saturday give him 25 for the season, good for a third-place tie in the jockey standings with Quincy Hamilton. Eddie Martin, Jr. leads with 34 wins while Luis Quinonez is second with 32.

Remington Park opens at 10 a.m. on Sunday for simulcast racing and casino gaming. Belmont Park has a Pick 6 Carryover of $161,041 for horseplayers via simulcast at Noon (central) on Sunday. The nine-race Remington Park program will begin at 6:30 p.m.