In their only previous meeting, IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) and GREG’S GOLD
(Lake George) served up a thrilling photo-finish in the July 29 Bing Crosby H.
(G1), with the former getting the nod at Del Mar. The two sprinters then went
their separate ways, but their paths will cross again in Sunday’s $100,000
Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) at Hollywood Park.
In Summation, a four-time stakes winner as a juvenile in 2005, has developed
into a high-class sprinter since switching to the Christophe Clement barn last
season. The four-year-old dark bay scored his biggest career victory in the Bing
Crosby, closely tracking the pace, rallying between horses and just holding off
the furious late kick of Greg’s Gold.
In his only subsequent start, In Summation scored a dead-heat win in the
Arlington Sprint H. He was forced to miss the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) when
Clement wasn’t satisfied with the way he came out of an October 21 workout at
Belmont, but since arriving at Hollywood earlier this month, he has been
training sharply. Corey Nakatani, who was aboard for the Bing Crosby, will guide
In Summation from post 3 in the six-furlong event.
Greg’s Gold arrived on the sprinting scene with a decisive win in the 2005
Bing Crosby, but he then suffered a tendon injury that sidelined him for more
than 18 months. The David Hofmans charge returned in February with a stylish
allowance score at Santa Anita, and two starts later, added the Tiznow S. to his
resume. After his non-threatening fourth in the Aristides Breeders’ Cup S. (G3)
at Churchill Downs and his near-miss in the Bing Crosby, the six-year-old gray
rolled to a 1 1/2-length tally in the Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup H. (G2).
Since then, Greg’s Gold has endured frustration. After crying out for room in
midstretch of the Ancient Title S. (G1), he wound up an unfortunate second,
beaten a total of three-quarters of a length. Next time out in the Breeders’ Cup
Sprint at Monmouth, Greg’s Gold failed to produce his best on the sloppy, sealed
track, ultimately reporting home eighth. He has been working with a vengeance
since, posting a pair of bullet five-furlong drills, and will try to get back on
the winning track with regular rider Victor Espinoza. The 126-pound highweight
will break from the rail.
Hofmans will also be represented by the uncoupled COUNCIL MEMBER (Seattle
Slew). A multiple stakes winner in England, the five-year-old bay was most
recently a distant third in the Sport Page H. (G3) in the slop at Aqueduct,
which was his final outing for Godolphin. Purchased thereafter by Karen and
Mickey Taylor of Seattle Slew fame, Council Member was transferred to Hofmans.
Garrett Gomez, who rode him to victory in an allowance/optional claimer in his
American bow at Belmont, will reunite with him here.
Greg’s Gold will lead the post parade, followed by QUINTON’S FLEET
(Snowbound), Tyler Baze, 116 pounds; In Summation, 124; BUSHWACKER (Outflanker),
Joe Talamo, 118; DOUBLE ACTION (Double Honor), Michael Baze, 118; and Council
Member, 120.