Clever Trevor Passes Away at 30

Clever Trevor, winner of the inaugural Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park in 1989, and the first Oklahoma-bred millionaire that actually raced in the state, passed away at Robin’s Nest Farm in Piedmont, Okla. on Friday night, July 22.

Bred and owned by the late Don McNeill of Edmond, Okla., Clever Trevor won four of his six career races at Remington Park in 1988 and 1989 as a 2-year-old and 3-year-old. He had stakes wins in three of his four triumphs. A gelding by Slewacide from the Twice Bold mare Little Mary Beans, Clever Trevor won the first Oklahoma Derby (when it was known as the Remington Park Derby) in 1989. He then went on a national campaign that would bring both he and his trainer Donnie Von Hemel much notoriety. All the while, his success established Remington Park, opened in the fall of 1988, as a prominent track in its initial years of operation.

After his derby win at Remington Park in March 1989, Clever Trevor had seven more races as a 3-year-old. A versatile sort, he could flash and maintain his speed or relax just off the pace-setters before making a stretch rally. The adaptable running style suited him well in a second-place finish to Dansil in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. He then finished well back of Sunday Silence and runner-up Easy Goer in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., but rebounded for a strong summer run.

After winning the Grade 2 St. Paul Derby by seven lengths at then Canterbury Downs in Minnesota, Clever Trevor rolled to a nine-length victory in the Grade 1 Arlington Classic in Chicago. That race set him up for what was perhaps the greatest effort of his career.

Easy Goer and Sunday Silence were the top 3-year-olds in racing in 1989. After losing the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes to Sunday Silence, Easy Goer exacted revenge to win the Belmont Stakes and deny his rival the Triple Crown. In New York, Easy Goer was nearly unstoppable. After winning the Belmont Stakes, he was expected to make short work of his rivals in the Grade 1, Travers Stakes at Saratoga. He would have to work for the win.

Clever Trevor had the lead throughout most of the 1-1/4 miles Travers, taking his advantage into the middle of the homestretch. Easy Goer eventually wore down the top Oklahoma-bred, winning by three lengths over Clever Trevor in second.

Clever Trevor raced until the fall of 1992. His final victory came in the Governor’s Handicap at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky. He then finished second, beaten just a neck, to Irish Swap in the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington in September, in what turned out to be his final start.

While in training at Remington Park, preparing for a stakes race over the turf, Clever Trevor developed a foot abscess. Owner McNeill and trainer Von Hemel decided their star had done enough and he was sent to retirement at Von Hemel’s residence.

“He was here with us for the last 24 years. The farm feels empty without him,” said Robin Von Hemel, Donnie’s wife and main caretaker for Clever Trevor. “He had become very elderly in recent days. He let us know it was timeon Friday night.”

Clever Trevor was the only retired racing Thoroughbred at Robin’s Nest Farm. He quickly developed a bond with the Von Hemel family at their home and with his running buddy Nick, a palomino American Quarter Horse that Robin had purchased to ride around the farm. “Once Trevor arrived, they became best friends and wouldn’t let each other out of the other’s sight. I never rode Nick again, Trevor wouldn’t allow it. We had to do everything with them as a pair. Nick is also saddened by this loss.”

Clever Trevor was just the second Oklahoma-bred millionaire (1986 Horse of the Year Lady’s Secret was the first), finishing his career with $1,388,392 in earnings. A winner of 15 races from 30 attempts, Clever Trevor raced in 11 states and Ontario, Canada, winning races in six different states. He was ridden in all but two of his career attempts by Don Pettinger, with Hall of Famer Pat Day up for the other races. Pettinger rode Clever Trevor in all of his victories.

Don McNeill, Clever Trevor’s owner and breeder, passed away in 2015. Von Hemel is Remington Park’s all-time leading trainer with 986 career victories in Oklahoma City. He has won the track’s training title 12 times, more than any other conditioner.

Remington Park has conducted the $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes for 2-year-olds since 1997. This year’s edition will take place on Friday, Nov. 4.

The 2016 Remington Park Thoroughbred Season begins Friday, Aug. 12 and continues through Sunday, Dec. 11.

Source: Remington Park