Hollywood Gold Cup

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) features nine locally based
runners against East Coast invader LIMEHOUSE (Grand Slam), who arrives off wins in the
Brooklyn H. (G2) and Alysheba S. for trainer Todd Pletcher. Commendable performances
for sure, but the former came around one turn at Belmont and the
latter was only 1 1/16 miles. We watched Saint Liam (Saint Ballado), who is
perhaps the best older horse in training presently, struggle in the 1 1/4-mile
Santa Anita H. (G1) earlier this year, and Limehouse could also prove
susceptible shipping to California for a 10-furlong event.

CONGRATS (A.P. Indy) finished a solid second, beaten only 1 3/4 lengths, in
the Big ‘Cap prior to an attempt in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) where the
Richard Mandella-trained five-year-old offered a brief rally before flattening
out. He was freshened upon his return to the United States and returned to the
races in a 7 1/2-furlong sprint, setting the early pace before settling for
second to McCann’s Mojave (Memo [Chi]), who then finished second in the Triple
Bend H. (G1). That race served as the perfect tightener for Congrats, who has
trained forwardly with three listed workouts since the June 11 race, and we’ll
give him top billing from just off the pace on Saturday.

LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) is another candidate to spring a small upset.
Trained by Doug O’Neill, the four-year-old gelding has really come on his last
two starts, winning an optional-claiming event going away prior to a one-length
triumph in the 1 1/8-mile Californian S. (G2). He earned a 111 BRIS Speed rating
for the latter and looks very dangerous under Pat Valenzuela if he handles the
extra ground.

Limehouse has displayed career-best form recently and may continue to show
more for his Eclipse Award-winning conditioner. The four-year-old chestnut
recorded tremendous BRIS E2 and Late Pace ratings while earning 111 and 105
Speed numbers in his last two starts, and he’s well-drawn to the inside with
regular rider John Velazquez. Limehouse figures to be in close attendance to the
early pace and could get to the lead with his turn of foot and never relinquish
it, but we’ll let the improving colt beat us at short odds.

ANZIYAN ROYALTY (Anziyan) brings solid form into this event for conditioner
Craig Dollase and could parlay a stalk-and-pounce trip into a top three finish.
He likes Hollywood (7-4-1-0) and has earned Late Pace ratings of 109 and 107
from his last two outings, both against Grade 2 rivals. Anziyan Royalty has
never been past nine furlongs on the dirt, but he’s bred for 10 furlongs and must be
respected under Alex Solis.

DEPUTY LAD (Mecke) was claimed in January for $50,000 and immediately
improved his form on the grass for trainer Mike Mitchell, recording a third in
the 1 1/2-mile Pan American H. (G2) three starts back and a fourth in the 1
1/4-mile Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) most recently. He returns to the main track
for the Gold Cup and could offer a decent late showing under Jon Court. Consider
Deputy Lad for a small share at long odds. PT’S GREY EAGLE (Pleasant Tap) is a
former six-furlong specialist stretching out in distance and will likely set the
pace under Corey Nakatani. It wouldn’t shock us to see the gray gelding stick
around a long time, but the four-year-old remains a huge question at the
distance.

KEEP ON PUNCHING (Silver Deputy) broke his maiden three starts back and
brings a three-race winning skein into his stakes bow. He drew a tough outside
post and could get caught up in a speed duel early. The Anthony Saavedra trainee
owns a promising future, but this may turn out to be a learning experience for
the four-year-old. BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]) ran his best race when third in the
10-furlong Big ‘Cap and might show more stretching out in ground in this spot,
but his fourth-place effort in the Californian was pretty disappointing and we’ll
just have to watch to see how he fares.

AL ARZ (Brz) (Roba Fina) had a decent outing last time against lesser rivals, but he
may struggle with the class hike. MUSIQUE TOUJOURS (Musique d’Enfer) was a
wire-to-wire upset winner of the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic and will probably
show speed from post 8 on Saturday, especially off the freshening. The
five-year-old gelding owns a decent mark over the track (6-2-2-1), but this
company looks too difficult.