Red Hot N Gold successfully defends title

ALTOONA, Iowa - Defending champ Red Hot N Gold controlled his seven opponents efficiently in Saturday night's $70,000 Cyclones Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for Iowa-breds. The popular 5-year-old gelding by Gold Case, ridden confidently by leading rider Terry Thompson, assumed command entering the backstretch run and maintained his advantage thereafter to defeat Dynamic Affair by two lengths.

Trained by Kelly Von Hemel for owners Ray and Peggy Shattuck's RPM Thoroughbreds, Red Hot N Gold displayed his continuing affinity for the Prairie Meadows' surface by notching his 10th win here, five of which have come in Iowa-bred stakes, for combined earnings of over $400,000.

Dynamic Affair, conditioned by Chris Richard for leading owner Maggi Moss, stayed on with determination under Tim Doocy to secure second place by three lengths from Kate's Main Man. Red Hot N Gold's stablemate Maya's Storm, who had won the May 16 John Wayne Stakes over six furlongs, finished a disappointing sixth. It was the first time Maya's Storm failed to finish in the top three in 13 starts over this track.

Collecting $42,000 for his connections, Red Hot N Gold carted the highweight of 121 pounds and paid $4.20 to win.