 |
Year in Review Santa Anita opening day HK Cup Entries Hong Kong Cup works Hollywood Derby Day |
|
|
Year in Review Santa Anita opening day HK Cup Entries Hong Kong Cup works Hollywood Derby Day |
|
|
 John Velazquez aboard Vino Rosso after winning the 2019 Gold Cup at Santa Anita |
The $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) at Santa Anita Park features the best older horses on the west coast. Originally run as the Hollywood Gold Cup, after the Inglewood track closed its doors for good at the end of 2013 most of its stakes races were picked up by Santa Anita and Del Mar. It was unusually cool for late May in Arcadia, with cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 60's, the main track rated fast and the turf course good. A field of 7 went to post for this historic 1 1/4 mile event, with Gift Box sent off as the 7-10 favorite off wins in the San Antonio (G2) and the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). In to challenge him included 4-1 second choice Vino Rosso, 4th in the Carter Handicap (G1) after winning the Stymie, and 11-2 third choice Lone Sailor, 2nd in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) after finishing 3rd in the New Orleans Handicap (G2).
 Vino Rosso battles Gift Box in the stretch |
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 7 Vino Rosso Velazquez 10.20 3.00 2.60 5 Gift Box Rosario 2.20 2.10 4 Lone Sailor Prat 3.00 Winning Time: 2:03.00 $1 Exacta 7-5 10.60 $1 Trifecta 7-5-4 63.80 $1 Superfecta 7-5-4-6 143.10 Results Chart from DRF. |
Left: Vino Rosso in the winner's circle. Amy Mullen, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I didn't have to give John any instructions, just a leg up. John got here six hours ago and he had a conference call with the owners and Todd. I've been here a week with Vino Rosso and Mike McCarthy, we trained over the track to get ready for this race."
Right: Vino Rosso in the paddock. Winning jockey John Velazquez said, "We come from seven eighths, we knew we were going to be close. I knew the pace would be fast early and I just wanted to stay close. He broke very well and we settled in there. When it was time to go, we knew we had to engage Joel (Rosario) to play the game because he was the horse to beat. And we got the job done. Vino Rosso seemed to have it all put together today."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Gift Box in the paddock. Jockey Joel Rosario said, "He broke well out of there. In the beginning, they all got into position and I thought I was in a good spot. I guess he was just second best today. I used him a little in the beginning to get my spot but he settled and was very comfortable after that. Everything he did was just right, he just got a little tired in the end. I still think he's one of the best handicap horses in the country and he'll improve off of this. I had the trip I wanted, the other horse just ran a better race today."
Right: Third place finisher Lone Sailor returns after the race. Trainer Tom Amoss said, "He was a little farther back than I wanted, but I was happy with what I was seeing up front. I knew at the three eighths (pole) he wouldn't be able to catch the leaders."
 Vasilika winning the Gamely Stakes |
Jockey Brice Blanc sent 22-1 Ahimsa to the lead first time by and she set fractions of 24.37, 48.52, and 1:12.12 while pressed by 26-1 Streak of Luck and stalked by 15-1 Causeforcommotion. Turning for home, Ahimsa continued to lead through 1 mile in 1:36.05, but Vasilika, 5th early under Flavien Prat, came out 4 wide and outfinished Rymska to win by a length in 1:48.07. It was another 1/2 length back to pacesetter Ahimsa third.
Results Chart from DRF.
Left: Vasilika in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said, "She has the turn of foot that most horses don't have, but anyway, she continues to do it. Today Prat didn't like where he was so he let her drift back a little so he could get out of where he was. He didn't like being in between horses, so luckily for us, once she saw daylight, she still had that big turn of foot. She's a very professional mare. She always likes being in our barn so I'm happy to have her that's for sure."
Right: Vasilika returns after the race. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "I knew we would be fairly close to the lead. I took hold of her on the last turn and took her outside. She does everything I ask of her. I'm just a lucky man. This filly knows how to win. She knows what to do. It is quite amazing to be around her."
Left: Second place finisher Rymska in the paddock before the race. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. said, "There wasn't much pace, so they were bunched. We needed some separation to get out, so I had to wait and work my way through horses. We did the best we could."
Right: Third place finisher Ahimsa in the paddock. The Peter Eurton trainee improved her record to 3 wins, 0 seconds, and 1 third in 7 starts, earning $168,690 for owner-breeder Three Great Sons LLC and co-owner Darryl Hughes.
 Bolo winning the Shoemaker Mile Stakes |
Jockey Florent Geroux sent 33-1 longshot Bolo to the lead first time by and he set fractions of 23.51, 46.95, and 1:10.44 while pressed by 16-1 Ohio and stalked by Sharp Samurai. Entering the stretch, Bolo continued to lead through 7f in 1:22.18. 13-2 fourth choice River Boyne, 5th early under Flavien prat, put in a strong inside rally but Bolo easily held him off for the 1 1/4 length upset in 1:34.07. It was a nose back to late-running 18-1 Bowies Hero third, while favorite Delta Prince checked in 7th beaten 3 1/4 lengths.
Results Chart from DRF.
0
Left: Bolo in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Carla Gaines said, "The first race in April was a bit far for him and he hadn't run in basically two years, so it was sort of like let's get him out there and have him carve out some easy fractions and see if he can keep going. He got a little tired in the end but today he didn't. When I saw the 46 and four for the half it had me a little worried because the track does have some cut in the ground. He really likes a very firm surface so that was my main concern. He lost a little weight after his last start, his first start back, so that was a concern."
Right: Bolo in the post parade. Winning jockey Florent Geroux said, "Last time the horse ran better than what it looked like, it was a bit far for him being 1 1/8 and he only got beat a length and a half so I had all the confidence in the world, I knew the horse was ready this time. I've seen him run. I've followed his career. He's a nice looking horse. Carla just gave me free reign. Whatever the horse does is fine. Right from the beginning he broke sharp to take the lead easily so I said why take him back, the horse took a few good breathers during the race and I knew from that point he was the horse to catch. He ran a big race and the pace was legit. I know a few of the horses had trouble behind me. I'll be back on him for the Breeders' Cup."
Left: Second place finisher River Boyne in the paddock before the race. Trainer Jeff Mullins said, "He's had some troubled trips this year. With his style, he likes that outside swoop and run. Today, we had to wait in traffic." Jockey Flavien Prat added, "He ran a good race. It's good to have him back here and he ran well with some very good horses. The winner was just too much today."
Right: Third place finisher Bowies Hero in the paddock. The Phil D'Amato trainee improved his record to 6 wins, 1 second, and 3 thirds in 18 starts, earning $724,970 for owners Agave Racing Stable, ERJ Racing, Madaket Stables, and Rockin Robin Racing Stable.
Left: Seventh place finisher and beaten favorite Delta Prince in the paddock before the race. The Jimmy Jerkens trainee has a record of 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 4 thirds in 14 starts, earning $1,174,170 for owner-breeder Stronach Stables (Adena Springs).
Right: Bolo leads down the stretch in the Shoemaker Mile.
Back to Horse-Races.Net main page
| Search Horse-Races.Net: |
