Fast Draw, under jockey Angel Ramirez, won the $163,690 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby on Monday.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—JULY 6, 2026—Fast Draw dug in through the final strides to fend off a determined rally from Rowdi and score a hard-fought head victory in Monday's $163,690 Prairie Meadows Gold Derby at Prairie Meadows.

The 3-year-old gelding covered the 350 yards in 17.716, to nab his first career stakes victory, while giving owner RVR Partners 23 the winner's share of $73,660.

Breaking alertly under jockey Angel Ramirez, Fast Draw quickly established command before holding off the fast-closing Rowdi in the final yards. Rowdi finished a head behind the winner, while Audreys Lil Cowgirl rallied to secure third, another one-half length back. The official margins were a head, one-half length, and a head.

Trained by Edward Hardy, Fast Draw is a sorrel gelding by Moonin the Eagle out of Fast N Fancy, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. He was bred in Missouri by AQHA Champion Breeder Bobby D. Cox. Fast Draw has won five of 11 starts and earned $133,698. He was also a finalist in the Black Gold Colts and Geldings Futurity (G3) and Prairie Meadows Gold Futurity at 2.

The winning connections of Fast Draw accept the Prairie Meadows Gold Derby stakes trophy.
© Jack Coady Photography

Longshot Rowdi turned in a strong late bid after racing well off the early pace but came up just short at the wire. The sorrel filly is by multiple stakes sire You Drive I Fly out of Shake Em Wild, by Royal Shake Em. Bred in Texas by Michele and Craig Snider, she races for her breeders and is trained by Tyler Stein. Randy Vega had the riding assignment aboard the runner-up, who earned $29,464. A finalist in the Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity and the Oklahoma Derby(G3) he has banked nearly $70,000 in 10 starts.

Audreys Lil Cowgirl finished willingly to edge the remainder of the field for third, collecting $16,369. The bay filly is by leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 out of Zoes Sassy Miracle, by Capo de Capi. Bred in Oklahoma by Lynn, Becky, and Lowell Husman, she is owned by Becky and Lynn Husman, trained by Jason Olmstead, and was ridden by Armando Alvidrez. Two races back, she was a finalist in the Grade 3 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Oaks and has earned $55,745.

The Prairie Meadows Gold Derby returned generous mutuel payoffs as Fast Draw rewarded his backers with $13.20 to win, $7.80 to place, and $5.00 to show. Runner-up Rowdi returned $36.20 to place and $13.20 to show, while third-place finisher Audreys Lil Cowgirl paid $9.00 to show.

The $2 Exacta (4-6) returned $382.20, the $2 Quinella (4-6) paid $250.60, and the 50-cent Trifecta (4-6-7) was worth $732.60. The 10-cent Superfecta (4-6-7-5) returned $1,016.72.

Completing the order of finish were Jess Want to Know in fourth, Wf Tuff As Diamonds fifth, Atsi Monday sixth, Starlight Cartel Df seventh, Nsm Flying Corona eighth, Aj Lucky Girl ninth, and Nme 123 tenth.

Editor's note: Photos of this race will be posted when they become available from the track photographer. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.