Saturday’s 66th running of the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) highlights a
trio of graded stakes races in Inglewood, California, and the 10-furlong contest
has attracted a field of 10, including Brooklyn H. (G2) winner LIMEHOUSE (Grand
Slam). The Todd Pletcher-trained four-year-old ships west off consecutive stakes
victories and became a millionaire when recording a facile 1 1/2-length score in
the Brooklyn at Belmont Park most recently. He’ll likely go favored with regular
rider John Velazquez.
No larger field has contested the Gold Cup since Horse of the Year Ferdinand captured the
1987 edition. However, Perfect Drift (Dynaformer) did not ship in as expected
due to an eye ailment. Top contenders include Californian S. (G2) hero LAVA MAN
(Slew City Slew), Californian runner-up ANZIYAN ROYALTY (Anziyan) and Grade
2 victor CONGRATS (A.P. Indy).
Limehouse has the rail and will carry 117 pounds. Next in the post parade
comes BORREGO (El Prado [Ire]), Garrett Gomez, 115; DEPUTY LAD (Mecke), Jon
Court, 112; PT’S GREY EAGLE (Pleasant Tap), Corey Nakatani, 113; Anziyan
Royalty, Alex Solis, 115; Congrats, Tyler Baze, 117; Lava Man, Pat Valenzuela,
118; MUSIQUE TOUJOURS (Musique d’Enfer), Victor Espinoza, 114; AL ARZ (Brz) (Roba
Fina), David Flores, 113; and KEEP ON PUNCHING (Silver Deputy), Rene Douglas,
113.
DON’T GET MAD (Stephen Got Even), who squeezed a fourth-place finish in the
Kentucky Derby (G1) between convincing wins in the Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup
S. (G3) and Derby Trial S., tops a field of eight sophomores entered for the
$400,000 Swaps Breeders’ Cup S. (G2). Trained by Ron Ellis, the B. Wayne
Hughes-owned colt faces Affirmed H. (G3) winner INDIAN OCEAN (Stormy Atlantic)
and Affirmed runner-up SURF CAT (Sir Cat).
The complete field, in post order with riders and imposts, is OLD MAN RIVER
(Event of the Year), Baze, 112; DOVER DERE (Cherokee Run), Valenzuela, 112;
ROBADOR (Robannier), Jose Valdivia Jr., 120; YES HE’S A PISTOL (Yes It’s True),
Danny Sorenson, 112; Surf Cat, Solis, 112; Don’t Get Mad, Gary Stevens, 120;
Indian Ocean, Court, 118; and KHYBER PASS (Running Stag), Flores, 112.
Multiple Grade 1 queen STAR PARADE (Arg) (Parade Marshal), third in the
Milady Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) most recently, cuts back in distance to seven
furlongs and will take on eight rivals in the $150,000 A Gleam Invitational H. (G2). Imported
to the United States in 2003, the Darrell Vienna-trained mare has made all 15
U.S. starts around two turns. La Brea S. (G1) winner ALPHABET KISSES (Alphabet
Soup) and Desert Stormer H. (G3) heroine PUXA SACO (Dehere) are both
accomplished sprinters in the lineup.
From the rail, the A Gleam contestants are Alphabet Kisses, Stevens, 119;
FESTIVAL (Jpn) (Assatis), Sorenson, 112; Puxa Saco, Solis, 118; HEAVENLY HUMOR
(Distorted Humor), Valenzuela, 115; RINKY DINK (Aus) (Distorted Humor), Douglas,
112; VALENTINE DANCER (In Excess [Ire]), Court, 118; MUIR BEACH (Skip Away),
Flores, 113; RAMATUELLE (Chi) (Jeune Homme), Gomez, 114; and Star Parade,
Valdivia, 116.