Remington Park: The Drifter back on course after Kip Deville victory

The Drifter recaptured his best form Friday night at Remington Park, when he drove to a length and a quarter win over Westernator in the $75,000 Kip Deville. The race was the first leg of the track’s 2-year-old series that includes the $100,000 Clever Trevor on Nov. 9 and the $300,000 Springboard Mile on Dec. 9.

The Drifter ($5.80) was always prominent in the Kip Deville, dueling through fractions of 21.97 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.05 for the half-mile. He went on to cover six furlongs on a track rated good in 1:10.65.

Cliff Berry was aboard for Charles Fletcher and trainer Cody Autrey.

The Drifter came into the Kip Deville off the first defeat of his career, a fourth-place finish in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 18. Prior to that, he won a maiden special weight and a division of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes, both at Lone Star Park.

Autrey said The Drifter has several stakes options to choose from the region, among them the Retama Park division of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes on Dec. 8.

The Drifter is a son of the Seeking the Gold stallion Seeking a Home, and he was bred by Leonard Warf and Patricia Clark.

The Kip Deville was the first of six stakes being run this weekend at Remington. The remaining five make up the Oklahoma Derby Day card on Sunday.