(Chart, Equibase)
In his first start since the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), the odds-on favorite Gold Storm took over at the quarter pole and won the $58,200 Colonel Power Handicap at foggy Fair Grounds Sunday with plenty to spare.Ridden by E.J. Perrodin, Gold Storm, the 4-5 choice toting 120 pounds, took command in the stretch and was unwavering down the lane as he defeated 11-10 second pick Clock Stopper by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:09.19 for the six furlongs on a fast track. Ole Rebel was third and Spooky Mulder trailed in a field that was reduced to four by the scratches of Nebraska Moon and Artemus Sunrise.Clock Stopper, who carried top weight of 122 pounds and was ridden by Robby Albarado, was slow to pick up the running while saving ground behind early leader Spooky Mulder, who clicked off a quarter-mile in :22, and Gold Storm, who covered the opening half in :45 2/5. Clock Stopper rallied mildly at the top of the stretch but lacked the kick needed to challenge the ready winner, who completed five furlongs in :57.Gold Storm finished ninth, although beaten by only four lengths by Speightstown in the BC Sprint, in his most recent start Oct. 30, completing a 2004 campaign in which the chestnut 5-year-old Seeking the Gold horse won three of eight starts for trainer C.W. Bubba Cascio. Earning $36,000 for owners Keith McKinney and Jack Sweesy, the Kentucky-bred Gold Storm has a 8-1-2 lifetime mark in 14 starts and has won $297,000. He paid $3.60. There was no place or show wagering.
