'Niner Account' back on dirt

The Niner Account will return to the main track Saturday night for the $40,000 Chuck Taliaferro Memorial at Remington Park. The last time he ran on dirt here, The Niner Account turned in one of his most memorable performances, scoring a nose win over stakes winner Joe Six Pack in an allowance at Lone Star Park on July 15. He covered the six furlongs in 1:08.60 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 105, the second-best in his career, behind a 107.

Adding to the win's heft is the fact that Run Zeal Run, who finished third in the allowance, returned in his next start to win the $40,000 J.R. Straus Memorial at Retama Park.

The Niner Account, meanwhile, moved to turf for his next out and finished third in the $40,000 Brother Brown on Aug. 6. And out of that race, runner-up Orphan Brigade returned in his next start to set a course record at Remington.

The Niner Account has natural speed and figures to be close throughout in the Taliaferro. He drilled five furlongs in 58 seconds on Aug. 24, then went the same distance in 58.60 on Sept. 2.

Cliff Berry has the mount for trainer Martin Lozano, who is winning with 33 percent of his starters at Remington. The Niner Account has won 16 of his 29 starts.

Others of note in the field include Explosive Count, a past winner of the Taliaferro, and four-time stakes winner Herecomesthemannow.