Race Preview: Gold Cup at Santa Anita

Formally known as the Hollywood Gold Cup when it was run at the now defunct Hollywood Park, the Gold Cup at Santa Anita will be run for the first time under it's new name this Saturday at Santa Anita. One of three WAYI races for the Classic division in California this year. Here is the field:

8th Race - Santa Anita Park - Saturday, June 28th, 2014

STAKES. 1 1/4 Mile Dirt. Purse $500,000. Gold Cup at Santa Anita H. (Grade 1). FOR THREE-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARD. (04:30 PM) (7)

PP Horse A/S M/E Wgt Jockey Trainer

1 Game On Dude 7 G L 124 Smith Mike E. Baffert Bob

2 Fury Kapcori 4 C L 119 Stevens Gary L. Hollendorfer Jerry

3 Clubhouse Ride 6 H L 119 Talamo Joseph Lewis Craig Anthony

4 Imperative 4 G L 119 Desormeaux Kent J. Papaprodromou George

5 Salto Del Indio (CHI) 4 R 121 Blanc Brice Puype Mike

6 Majestic Harbor 6 H L 119 Baze Tyler McCarthy Sean

7 Lideris 4 C 124 Enriquez Juan E. Miller Peter

Game On Dude (Awesome Again): Won this race twice at Hollywood Park, if he where to win he would join Native Diver and Lava Man to win the race 3 years in a row. That being said, he is not having a great year with a bad start in his first race, a win in the Santa Anita Handicap, but a not that great runner up finish in the Charles Town Classic. The 1 hole might be helpful then hurtful for him.

Fury Kapcori (Tiznow): Second in the Californian in his last. Before that he had won his 4 starts before that including taking down both the Santana Mile and Precisionist. Had shown promise at two, so-so at 3 and looks to be rounding back into form at 4.

Clubhouse Ride (Candy Ride (ARG)): Won the Californian like he did last year before his 4th place finish in the HGC. Don't think he's as good on dirt as he is on a synthetic. That being said he was 2nd in last year's Big Cap to Game On Dude. Serious chance to finally get into the Winners Circle.

Imperative (Bernardini): Won the Charles Town Classic in his last. 7^th in the Big Cap before that and 2^nd in the San Antonio 3 back. The question is can he put two quality stakes starts in a row like he has for his Allowance races? I sure hope so.

Salto Del Indio (Happy Hunting): First US start. Won the Gran Criterium Mauricio Serrano Palma in Chile last October. Sire won the Aqueduct Handicap in 2006 over Evening Attire.

Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor): ½ brother to this year's Derby 3rd place finisher Danza. 3rd in the Californian in his last start, with a win in the Tokyo City before that. Might be a bit up against in this race, but looks like he found a home at Santa Anita.

Lideris (Mizzen Mast): First US start, won the Gran Premio Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubes e Hipodromos in Peru earlier this year. Same female family as G2 placed Boundary (sire of Big Brown).

Picks

Win: Clubhouse Ride

Place: Imperrative

Show: Fury Kapcori

Of course now go watch the Dude go gate and wire.

Video Preview



Good luck to all and safe travels!