Golden Yank upsets Tiz Now Tiz Then

OKLAHOMA CITY - Golden Yank, who since the spring has picked up checks in a series of 3-year-old stakes, put it all together on Sunday when he drove to a length and three-quarter win over favorite Tiz Now Tiz Then in the $350,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Acting Zippy.

The Oklahoma Derby was one of four stakes on the card, with the races worth a cumulative $675,000.

Golden Yank ($8.40) settled in the back of the pack early in the mile and an eighth race, as Sung moved to the lead and ran the opening quarter in 22.99 seconds, the half-mile in 46.61, and six furlongs in 1:10.91. Golden Yank advanced between horses approaching the final turn, angled out into the stretch and came home with authority.

"He finished strong today," said Jamie Theriot, who rode Golden Yank. "The last quarter of a mile, he finished like I know he can."

"Thats him," agreed Gary Thomas, who trains Golden Yank for the Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust.

Golden Yank, who covered the mile and an eighth on a fast track in 1:50.47, came into the Oklahoma Derby off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Before that, he was third by a head in the $100,000 Prelude Breeders' Cup at Louisiana Downs, and second in the Grade 2, $200,000 Jefferson Cup at Churchill Downs.

Thomas said plans for the horse's next start are to be determined, but options include the Grade 3, $150,000 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs on Nov. 9, or the $150,000 Zia Park Derby on Dec. 6.

Double for Theriot

Steve's Double gave Theriot his second stakes win on the card, when he darted to a length and a quarter win over Distorted Reality in the $125,000 Remington Green Stakes. It was another head back in third to Red Rock Creek.

Steve's Double ($9.60) stalked pacesetter Distinguish, overtook him in the stretch, and covered the mile and a sixteenth on a course rated firm in 1:43.95.

"We had a perfect trip," said Theriot. "My horse broke well, and we were in stalking position. We couldn't have asked for a better trip with him today."

Ronny Werner trains Steve's Double for Oxbow Racing. The Remington Green was the second straight stakes win for the horse, who last month won the $200,000 Unbridled Handicap at Louisiana Downs.

Big win for Jonesboro

Jonesboro ($4.20) powered to a four-length win over Por Que in the $75,000 Remington Park Sprint Championship. He settled in fifth early, overtook the leaders near the eighth pole, and went on to cover the seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.07.

Jonesboro won the $150,000 Tiznow, a Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, last month and was pre-entered in that race as well as the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

"We might freshen him up a while now," said Randy Morse, who trains Jonesboro for Michael Langford.

Miguel Mena rode Jonesboro.

Three straight for Kick On

Mena was also aboard Kick On ($24), who picked up his third straight win when he cruised by six lengths in the $125,000 MEC Mile, the meet's richest offering for 2-year-olds. He covered a mile and 70 yards in 1:42.90. Kick On has rapidly stepped up his game over the last two months, winning his maiden and an allowance at Remington before winning his stakes debut Sunday.

"He's been going in the right direction," said Joe Petalino, who trains Kick On for Baccari Racing.

Petalino said Kick On would be considered next for the $150,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs on Nov. 7.

* Handle on the 10-race card from all sources was $1,068,188.