Gold Storm captures Need For Speed

Gold Storm, last seen in the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Handicap on Derby Day 2005, returned to the races with a vengeance Saturday night at Evangeline Downs when he captured the $75,000 Need For Speed Stakes, setting a track record in the process. Inalako reported home in for second, three lengths behind the winner followed by All Wired Up.

Showing no ill effects of the pulled suspensory ligament that sidelined him for over a year, Gold Storm ($3.20) rated off the early pace under the kind hands of Tracy Hebert before challenging when straightened for home. The 6-year-old altered son of Seeking the Gold crossed the wire in a rapid :56.94 for the five furlongs, bettering the track record by three fifths of a second.

C. W. 'Bubba' Cascio trains the winner for Keith and Jack Sweesy. The victory was his tenth from just 17 starts and the $45,000 winner's share increased his career bankroll to $417,000.