Prairie Meadows: Golden Ticket dominates Prairie Meadows Handicap

ALTOONA, Iowa – The classy Golden Ticket assumed command early and cruised to an eight-length victory in Saturday evening's $100,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap, a 1 1/4-mile test that attracted five runners.

Golden Ticket ($2.20), who dead-heated for the win in last August's Grade 1 Travers with Alpha and most recently ran second to Fort Larned in the June 15 Stephen Foster, was guided around the oval by Terry Thompson for trainer Ken McPeek.

Worldly, the 2011 Prairie Meadows Handicap champ who was making his debut for Brendan Walsh's Kentucky-based stable, made a bold move on the far turn to briefly reach contention but was brushed aside by Golden Ticket's instant acceleration. Worldly comfortably held second place, finishing eight lengths clear of Red Lead.

Owned by Magic City Thoroughbred Partners, Golden Ticket covered the 10 furlongs in 2:06.68 without being asked for his best. The 4-year-old Speightstown colt collected $60,000 for his connections.