Red N' Gold best in Pippin

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Trainer Bob Holthus, who is winning races at a 40 percent clip at Oaklawn Park, pulled his second mild upset in a stakes race this meet when he sent out Red N' Gold to win the $50,000 Pippin before a Saturday crowd of 28,833.

It was five lengths back in second to Victory At Sea, who was 5.25 lengths clear of third-place finisher Please Sign In. Devout Sinner, the favorite, finished another 2.25 lengths back in fourth.

Red N Gold returned $15.20, close to the $15.80 the Holthus-trained Kings Command paid when he won the $50,000 King Cotton at Oaklawn on Feb. 2.

Red N' Gold, ridden by Terry Thompson, raced about three lengths behind pacesetter Victory At Sea, who broke out at the start, but quickly took the lead into the first turn. The eventual winner moved up on the final turn, drew even with Victory At Sea at the quarter pole, and overtook her in midstretch.

Red N' Gold covered the 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares in 1:44.68, and earned $30,000 for the win. Her career record now stands at three wins from 15 starts ane earnings of $82,900. She races for Kenneth English and Allen Braun.