Bim Bam wins third straight in DeBartolo Memorial

Bim Bam won his third consecutive race Saturday night, when he closed with authority for a half-length victory over Gaelico in the $75,000 Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Handicap at Remington Park. It was another length back to Dreams Cut Short in third.

Bim Bam began his streak in June at Mountaineer in an allowance. He returned to capture the track’s $75,000 Independence Day on July 2 in a performance that helped make him the 123-pound starting highweight in the DeBartolo.

Bim Bam ($7.80) settled in sixth in the early stages of Saturday night’s 1 1/16-mile turf race, as Bernie the Jet set fractions of 24.33 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 48.02 for the half-mile, and 1:11.43 for six furlongs while prompted by Gaelico. Bim Bam began to pick off rivals approaching the final turn, advanced four wide into the stretch, and went on to cover the distance over firm ground in 1:42.25.

“He had a big kick,” said Jareth Loveberry, who was aboard for trainer Ron Moquett.

Bim Bam earned $44,796 for the win, his ninth from 45 career starts. His earnings stand at $787,598. Bim Bam races for Chuck and Ella Lou Hagaman. He is a 7-year-old horse by Deputy Wild Cat and was bred in Florida by J D Farms.

The DeBartolo is a local steppingstone to the $100,000 Remington Green on the Oklahoma Derby undercard Sept. 28.