Racing


Lipstick Lou Pulls Off Upset For Her First Stakes Victory In The $99,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby
Piloted by Alfredo Triana Jr, Lipstick Lou wins the $99,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby on Sunday.

© Coady Photography
Lipstick Lou Pulls Off Upset For Her First Stakes Victory In The $99,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby

ALTOONA, IA–JULY 7, 2024–Lipstick Lou finds her stride and pulls off an upset for the win in the $99,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby on Sunday evening.

Cristian Esqueda rode Lipstick Lou in the trials, clocking the sixth fastest time, but Alfredo Triana Jr got the mount in the finals aboard the longshot. The daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue clocked a 101 speed index in :17.348 seconds, crossing the wire 1 1/4-lengths ahead of Jess A Rednec Cowboy and rider Jorge Torres. The 350-yard victory paid $26.80 to win on 12/1 odds.

Lipstick Lou has a race record of 5-1-1 from ten starts, and the $44,718 winner's check boosted her earnings to $109,727. The three-year-old Oklahoma bred filly placed fifth in last year's Valley Junction Futurity [G3] and is starting to find her groove.

"I thought she was a pretty nice filly and something we could breed later," said her trainer, Stacy Charette-Hill, who owns Lipstick Lou in partnership with Leto Land and Cattle LLC.

The winning connections of Lipstick Lou accept the $99,375 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby trophy at Prairie Meadows on Sunday. © Coady Photography

Stacy also bred the sorrel filly out of Paint Your Lips Red by Red Storm Cat with her late husband, Randy Hill. "I am sure he's smiling down from heaven," commented Stacy.

Runner-up Jess A Rednec Cowboy has four career wins from 12 starts with $135,423 in the bank, including the Easy Jet Stakes [G3] and Valley Junction Juvenile Stakes. He also placed second in last year's Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity and was a finalist in the Heritage Place Derby [G2], Remington Park Juvenile Stakes, and Mr Master Bug Stakes.

Brenda Reiswig bred and owns Jess A Rednec Cowboy in Oklahoma. Trainer Jason Olmstead saddled the sorrel gelding out of Valiant Red Vixen by Valiant Hero.

Cardiac Cowboy, the fastest qualifier and post-time favorite, placed third under jockey Ramiro Garcia. The son of leading second-year sire Flying Cowboy 123 has lit the board nine of 13 starts with six wins and $246,263 in earnings, including The Valley Junction Futurity [G3].

The three-time graded stakes finalist out of Southard Cartel by Carters Cartel is also trained by Jason Olmstead. His owner/breeder, Jo Rice of Oklahoma, repurchased him for $30,000 in the 2022 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

Special Dashing Eyes, Sheza Famous Candy, Cowboys R Myheros, Relentless Bay, Hamlyn, Mr Kash Wagon and Backside Bobby complete the order of finish. Miss Triana and Relentless Fantsy were scratched.