Zee Oh Six victorious in Classic

Zee Oh Six controlled the pace throughout to record a dominant, three and a quarter length win in the $75,000 Oklahoma Classics Day Classic on Saturday night at Remington Park. The race was the richest of seven stakes for eligible Oklahoma-breds on the annual Oklahoma Classics Day program, and total purses for the series was $315,000.

Zee Oh Six ($2.10) broke on top in the Classic and led the field through fractions of 23.56 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.49 for the half-mile mark and 1:11.72 for six furlongs. He went on to complete the mile and a sixteenth in a quick 1:42.46. George Taylor, the race's two-time defending champ, closed for second, finishing seven and three-quarter lengths in front of third-place finisher Presto Ridge.

Cliff Berry rode Zee Oh Six in what was his third stakes win on the card Saturday.

"My main concern was getting him out of the gate because he was the speed in the race," said Berry. "He got out good and relaxed good. I was confident all the way. He is a fast horse."

Joe Lucas trains Zee Oh Six. The horse also won the Classic in 2002, and came into this year's running off consecutive wins, caputuring the $40,000 Silver Goblin for Oklahoma-breds, and a one-mile allowance, in his two starts prior to the race. Zee Oh Six earned $43,530 for the victory Saturday to improve his career record to 9 wins from 35 starts for earnings of $313,375. He is a son of Alphabet Soup and he races for John and Barbara Smicklas.

In other stakes, Dudon ($15.60) took the lead at the start and never relinguished it for a two and three-quarter length win in the $40,000 Sprint. He covered six furlongs in 1:09.80, and Belen Quinonez rode the winner for trainer Joe Petalino.

Before the race, a retirement ceremony was held in the winner's circle for Medium Rare, who had won three previous runnings of the Sprint. In all, Medium Rare won 18 races and $348,063 during his career, and he is being retired to the Oklahoma branch of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Roger Engel trained the horse for J D R Racing.

* In the $40,000 Distaff, The Penguin ($4.20) dueled on the lead early then went on to a three and a half length win over Juanitas' Babe. Berry rode the winner for trainer Bret Calhoun.

* In the $40,000 Juvenile, Out Our Way ($3.20) raced on the lead throughout for a two length win at 3-5. Kevin Cogburn was aboard for trainer Elmer Carter.

* Goodie Good Girl ($5.60) rallied from well back and went on to a two and three-quarter length win in the $40,000 Filly and Mare Turf. Berry rode the winner for Engel.

* Notable Okie ($8.40) was up for a neck win over Outlaw Cowboy in the $40,000 Turf. Don Pettinger rode the winner for trainer Donnie Von Hemel, who also sent out third-place finisher April's Lucky Boy.

* Chyna Star ($12.40) won her maiden in the $40,000 Lassie, when she was prominent throughout for a three-quarter length win over Spooky Okie. Quincy Hamilton was aboard the winner for trainer Richard Harper.