Saturday’s 27th running of the $100,000 Native Diver H. (G3), which pays
tribute to one of California’s best handicap runners, will feature a field of 10
at Hollywood Park. Three horses have been assigned co-highweight of 118 pounds —
MCCANN’S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]), PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm) and NO GIVEAWAY
(He’s Tops).
Grade 2 hero McCann’s Mojave will enter the 1 1/8-mile event in top form,
winning the California Cup Classic H. on the final day of Oak Tree. The Paddy
Gallagher-trained five-year-old also owns a victory in the Ack Ack H. at
Hollywood earlier this year. Grade 2 victor Preachinatthebar exits a sharp
allowance score over the track. No Giveaway captured the Longacres Mile (G3) two
starts back for trainer Grant Foster. The Native Diver also marks the second
U.S. start for three-time Chilean Group 1 winner TROTAMONDO (Chi) (Hussonet),
who finished second to Preachinatthebar last out.
The race’s namesake won three straight Hollywood Gold Cups (1965-67) and
earned more than $1 million before tragically dying, nine days after a stirring
victory in the 1967 Del Mar H., from intestinal failure. Native Diver was a
California legend during the 1960s, winning 37 of 81 career starts, including 34
stakes wins, and dazzled racing fans with his tremendous speed.
Saturday’s contestants, from the rail with riders and weights, are CORONADO’S
PRIDE (Coronado’s Quest), Jon Court, 114; BULLY HAYES (Sultry Song), Alex Solis,
114; SPELLBINDER (Tale of the Cat), Martin Pedroza, 116; KEEP ON PUNCHING (Silver
Deputy), Tyler Baze, 113; Trotamondo, Garrett Gomez, 117; McCann’s Mojave,
Jose Valdivia Jr.; COURTLY JAZZ (Dixieland Band), David Cohen, 116; No
Giveaway, David Flores; Preachinatthebar, Victor Espinoza; and SAINT BUDDY
(Saint Ballado), Pat Valenzuela, 115.