Malika's Gold best in Lyrique

Bossier City, La. - Malika's Gold ran to her highweight assignment in Saturday's Lyrique Handicap at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, besting nine fellow 3-year-old fillies in determined fashion. Longshot Prospectors Spirit outfinished heavy favorite Where's Bailey for the place spot with Counterpoise reporting home fourth.

Luis Quinonez positioned Malika's Gold ($15.00) just off pacesetter Kristin's Charm while still firmly in hand. Taking over turning into the straight of the grassy mile and a sixteenth affair, Quinonez kept up steady pressure and the winner proved a length and a quarter the best in a time of 1:42.21 over a firm John Franks Turf Course.

The winner is a daughter of Gold Case and is trained by Randy Oberlander. The victory was her fourth from ten starts and she has now earned just over $152,000.

"It turned out a little different than the last time we were over here," said Oberlander in reference to Malika's Gold's second place finish in the Senorita Stakes on August 6. "Today things worked out better. She drew an outside post and was able to relax off the speed and when Luis asked her, she had a lot of run left in her."