PM Gold Derby Winner Lipstick Lou Sets Top Mark In Altoona Derby Trials

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 9, 2024—Starting off a win in the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby in her last start on July 7, Lipstick Lou set the fastest qualifying time for the Altoona Derby at Prairie Meadows Monday evening.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from three trials contested over 400 yards, will return to the Iowa racetrack on Friday, September 27, to vie for the winner's share of a $111,560 purse.

Lipstick Lou showed early speed under jockey Cristian Esqueda and then kept clear for a half-length win over fellow qualifier Relentless Bay. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue completed her task in 19.928, a 91-speed index into a 5 mph headwind.

Trainer Stacy Charette-Hill saddled the Oklahoma-bred filly to her sixth win in 11 starts for herself and Leto Land and Cattle LLC. Bred by Hill and her late husband, Randy, Lipstick Lou is out of Paint Your Lips Red by Red Storm Cat. She has banked $114,347.

Hill also saddled two other finalists, including the second fastest, Mr Kash Wagon, a son of champion sire Pyc Paint Your Wagon, she owns and co-bred with Randy Hill. A Prairie Meadows Gold Derby finalist, Mr Kash Wagon has won four of seven starts and earned $36,016. He is out of Little Kool Barbie by Mr Jess Perry.

Hill's third qualifier was the ninth-fastest Eysa Ivory Girl, a filly by champion sire Ivory James for owners Lisa and Stephan Ralston.

Leading trainer Jason Olmstead qualified the other seven finalists.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 to promote economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in Iowa. Prairie Meadows has given $2.2 billion to the state of Iowa through taxes, grants, and charitable donations. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.

The 2024 Prairie Meadows 80-day meet in Altoona runs May 10 – September 28.