The Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup will be run at Santa Anita in 2015 this 10 furlong American Thoroughbred Classic race has attracted a diverse field of distance and classy horses vying for Grade 1 status and the winners share of $500,000.
The Skinny:
Batti Man is a classy veteran who fits well at shorter distances and with Grade 3 horses. He takes a big step up in class and stretches out to a distance that is beyond his best. Veteran may be taking on more than he can handle in this spot.
Hard Aces stretches out after running competitively in the Californian, he did lose to Catch a Flight and Moreno in that race, may like a more contested pace. Espinoza rides for the 4th straight trip and should have enough speed to get good position entering the stretch if he is good enough.
Poshsky is one of 4 Peter Miller trained entries in this race. His speed should ensure a quick pace and should force pressure on Moreno and Big Cazanova. Outclassed as a win contender.
Motown Men has been running mid distance races for most of his career and takes a huge class jump and stretch out in distance. No real advantage speed figure wise and figures to finish mid pack at best in his first attempt at Grade 1 races.
Majestic City enters off a front-running splashy victory in Texas. Faces other speed in this race. Has some back class and enters in good form. Needs to run a career best to threaten in this spot.
Hoppertunity enters with a sneaky good 3rd place finish on an inside speed biased track last out at Churchill Downs. Should like the distance and has faced Grade 1 horses in the past. He owns a Grade 1 win in the Clark Handicap. Solid works in last month and figures to fire a solid race 2nd off the bench. Has a few races on his resume that fits well with these horses.
Big Cazanova has been showing speed in all his races and is pretty classy up to mile and mile and slightly further. The distance of 12 furlongs seems out of his reach based on recent form and facing other speed horses in the race. Could be tough in his next race on the cut back.
Moreno enters as the leading money earner approaching 3 million dollars and sports 4 lifetime wins in 27 starts. Lost the prep race to Catch a Flight but ran well and the 10 furlong distance may be a better pace scenario for him as he faces softer fractions. Pace pressure should be tough and not sure he can withstand multiple challenges on the front end.
Catch a Flight received a perfect trip/great ride in the last race. He was ridden aggressive from the outside post to establish position and forced the pace on the turn. Will probably go favored and is a win machine with 9 wins in 15 races. Can he get the distance and this time he will be hounded by other speed in the middle portions of the race.
Lideris has been grinding away at shorter distances. Is capable of passing horses if he gets some pace to run into. Not likely to win but “He can Run All Day”.
Finnegans Wake switches from turf to dirt and is in good form and should like the distance. One of 4 horses trained by Peter Miller he should get pace to run into and he has the class. Price may be right and is very usable in the Daily Doubles and Exacta Wagers.
The Choice:
Hoppertunity has the back class, 2nd off the lay and the stretching out in distance is the play in this spot. Finnegans Wake is a 2nd win contender based on form and distance.
Exactas: Hoppertunity over Finnegans Wake, Catch a Flight and Lideris
Finnegans Wake over Hoppertunity, Catch a Flight and Moreno