Shotgun Kowboy gives Berry one last Oklahoma Derby win

OKLAHOMA CITY - Shotgun Kowboy gave retiring jockey Cliff Berry his third win in the Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, when he fought off Desert Dynamo for a half-length win in the richest race of the meet at Remington Park.

The Oklahoma Derby was the highlight of a card of seven stakes worth $1 million. The program was the most significant of the meet at Remington.

Berry, a 53-year-old riding veteran, plans to retire at the close of the Remington meet in mid-December. He said Shotgun Kowboy ($7.60) broke sharply in the Oklahoma Derby, with the horse proceeding to lead the field through fractions of 22.99 seconds for the opening quarter=mile, 46.99 for the half-mile, and 1:11.69 for six furlongs. In the stretch, Shotgun Kowboy had more, and covered 1 1/8 miles on a track rated fast in 1:48.91.

“I wanted him to get out of the gates good,” said Berry. “I was surprised I was there [on the lead]. He was just cruising, so I just let him do it. I’m thinking at the three-eighths pole, please don’t falter.”

Berry said Shotgun Kowboy had more when attacked late by Southern California shipper Desert Dynamo.

“The last 100 yards, he would not let that horse by,” said Berry. “He was digging in.”

C.R. Trout, who bred, owns, and trains Shotgun Kowboy, praised the ride by Berry.

“I thought Cliff just rode a whale of a race,” said Trout.

Berry plans to finish out his career at Remington, where he is the all-time winningest rider. Berry also holds the same title at Lone Star Park near Dallas. He was thrilled with the Oklahoma Derby win Sunday.

“It’s awesome to go out like that,” said Berry.

Berry’s other wins in the Oklahoma Derby came aboard Comic Truth in 2003 and Mr. Pursuit in 2006.

Trout said Shotgun Kowboy, who went off the favorite, would likely target the Oklahoma Classics program next month at Remington. Shotgun Kowboy is an Oklahoma-bred son of Kodiak Kowboy. He earned $260,000 for his win in the Oklahoma Derby to improve his career bankroll to $489,994. Shotgun Kowboy has now won 5 of 7 starts, among his victories last year’s Clever Trevor at Remington.

Mobile Bay finished third in the Oklahoma Derby, four lengths behind Desert Dynamo. The remaining order of finish was Souper Colossal, Bold Conquest, Witt Six, The Truth Or Else, Tale of Verve, Poseidon’s Way, Classy Class, Lucky Player, and Hillbilly Royalty.