On June 9, Berks scored his seventh career victory and joined First Dude’s elite $ 200,000 earnings club in 24th place. At Delaware Park yesterday, the 4-year-old Maryland-bred gelding won his third straight race, and with the $29,250 winner’s check for owner/breeder Jagger Inc., moved up eight spots into 16th.

    Mychel Sanchez was aboard Berks in the $45,000 allowance optional claiming race that went at a flat mile after originally being scheduled for the grass. The gelding broke on top, cruised past the furlong markers in :24.01, :47.72 and 1:11.67, then coasted to the wire nearly five lengths in front without being threatened. He was clocked in 1:37.13 and paid $4.20.  

   Berks has now won four of his last five and had previously recorded five Equibase ‘E’ speed figures in the 90s; with this impressive performance he broke the century mark with an impressive 104.