Hot Springs ends in dead heat

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Silver Edition and Red Hot N Gold finished in a dead heat for the win in the $50,000 Hot Springs on Saturday, while 4-5 favorite Semaphore Man was fourth in the race, the final local prep for the Grade 3, $150,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap here April 10.

Secretintelligence finished third in the Hot Springs, 1 1/2 lengths behind Silver Edition and Red Hot N Gold.

Silver Edition ($4.20) and Red Hot N Gold ($9) were content to let the pace go as Semaphore Man, Secretintelligence and Normandy Shore dueled through an opening quarter in 21.61 seconds and a half-mile in 44.62. Silver Edition began his bid leaving the quarter pole, while Red Hot N Gold did his best work in the late stages. The pair covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.58.

Terry Thompson was aboard Silver Edition for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, while Eddie Razo Jr. rode Red Hot N Gold for trainer Kelly Von Hemel. Von Hemel also started Semaphore Man.

"He ran just kind of an even race," Von Hemel said. "He didn't give that last surge he usually does to keep in front."

Von Hemel said Red Hot N Gold would be nominated to the Count Fleet, while Semaphore Man remains on deck for that race, which he won in 2008.

Red Hot N Gold, who as an Iowa-bred will also be considered for stakes at Prairie Meadows, races for RPM Thoroughbreds. Silver Edition is owned by the partnership of Thomas Van Meter II and Phillip Maloof.

* Jockey Cliff Berry rode four winners on the card Saturday.

* Attendance on track was 19,163.