Louisiana Downs: Random Gold tries a stakes

Random Gold is in the best form of his career, and he will make his stakes debut against Venomous in the $50,000 Kings Court at Louisiana Downs.

The six-furlong race drew seven sprinters, including Grand Bank and That Tat, who finished eighth in a turf sprint stakes at Lone Star last Sunday.

Random Gold established himself as the one to beat with a 3 1/2-length win in an optional claiming race at Lone Star Park on May 10. It was his third win in his last five starts, and since the race he has been flattered. War Bridle, who finished third, returned in his next start to win a six-furlong optional claimer in 1:10.20.

Claimed for $25,000 at Oaklawn in April 2005 by trainer Cole Norman, Random Gold has won 2 of 3 starts at Louisiana Downs.

Venomous is returning to Louisiana Downs, where he has finished first or second in 7 of his 8 starts. He was second last out in a six-furlong optional claimer that went in a quick 1:09.60.