For Immediate Release

POMONA, Calif., Sept. 29--Reba's Gold, the 19-10 favorite owned by the

Creston Farms of "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek, survived a claim of foul to win

the $100,000 Ralph M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap by 3 3/4 lengths at

Fairplex Park on Sunday, closing day of the 17-day meet.

Ridden by David Flores, a six-time champion at the Los Angeles County Fair

track, Reba's Gold overcame a bumping incident with Sigfreto on the far turn

and withstood a claim of foul by Doug Peterson, the trainer of Sigfreto.

Nates Colony finished second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Sigfreto. Hook Call,

Out of Mind, Dig for It, San Nicholas and Most Likely completed the order of

finish. Hot Market was scratched. Time for about 1 1/8 miles over a fast

track was 1:49.82 under highweight of 119 pounds.

"I just wanted to put him in a good spot and tried to save ground the first

couple turns," said Flores, who was winning his 52nd stakes at Fairplex, a

record. "I just came out light. I stayed in my line (path). They pushed my

horse out a little bit but that's the way it is here."

Reba's Gold, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Slew o' Gold trained by Dan

Hendricks, earned $55,000 for his sixth win from 26 starts. His career

earnings stand at $408,212.

"It's always fun to win here and to win the biggest race of the meet is just

great," said Hendricks, speaking of the race named in honor of the late Fair

Association president and chief executive officer. "It doesn't matter where

you win. Winning's the name of the game."

Trebek was relieved after sweating out the inquiry. "This horse always gives

the $2 bettor his money's worth," Trebek said. "He always gives an honest,

hard-fought battle."

Total handle for the meet was down 5.51 percent, while total attendance

dropped 4 percent.

In a supporting feature, 13-10 favorite Profound Secret outgamed El Curioso

in a prolonged stretch duel to win the 62nd running of the $49,500 Governor's

Cup by three-quarters of a length. The son of Gate Dancer, ridden by Joey

Castro for trainer Kent Molinaro, covered 6 1/2 furlongs

on a fast track in 1:16.45 under 119 pounds and paid $4.60 to win.

Pacesetter McCordnskuba finished third, two lengths behind El Curioso and two

lengths in front of Fly to the Lake. Crooked Key, Brigade and Mistakenly

Special completed the order of finish. La Bandera was scratched.

Martin Pedroza won his fourth consecutive riding title at Fairplex and his

fifth overall, winning 27 races at the meet. Tyler Baze was second with 21.

Doug O'Neill won his first-ever training title with nine winners, two more

than defending champion Jeff Mullins.

There was one winning ticket Sunday worth a Fairplex record payoff

$416,435.20. The ticket was sold at the Maine hub. The previous record was

$199,346.60 on three tickets in 1999.

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