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2020 Hollywood Turf Cup

Arklow heads back to the barn after winning the 2020 Hollywood Turf Cup

The feature race on Thanksgiving Friday at Del Mar was the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) for older horses going 1 1/2 miles around 3 turns of the Jimmy Durante turf course. Conditions were excellent at the seaside oval with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60's and firm going. Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) winner Arklow was sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 12 off his 6th place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). In to challenge him included 5-2 second choice Laccario, 2nd in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) after finishing 7th in the Preis von Europa (G1), and 13-2 third choice Say the Word, winner of the Northern Dancer Turf (G1).

Down the stretch in the Hollywood Turf Cup

Jockey Tyler Baze sent Acclimate to the front and he set easy fractions of 24.51, 49.64, 1:14.55, 1:38.78, and 2:02.62 while pressed by 13-1 North County Guy and stalked by 59-1 Gregorian Chant and favorite Arklow. Entering the lane for the last time, Acclimate continued to lead to midstretch before tiring. Arklow, on the outside, took over the lead at the 1/8 pole and was all out to hold off the fast closing Laccario to win in 2:26.31, just 12/100 second off Talismanic's course record set in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf. It was another 1/2 length back to late-running Say the Word third.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 5 Arklow Rosario 5.80 3.40 2.80 8 Laccario Franco 3.80 3.00 4 Say the Word Prat 3.80 Winning Time: 2:26.31 $1 Exacta 5-8 9.30 $2 Quinella 5-8 10.80 $1 Trifecta 5-8-4 55.80 $1 Superfecta 5-8-4-7 517.90 Full results chart

Left: Arklow in the winner's circle. Blake Cox, son of and assistant to winning trainer Brad Cox said, "It kind of worked out the way we had drawn it up. Joel (Rosario) was able to get a real good stalking position and then finish strong. What’s next will be up to Jerry Crawford and Donegal Racing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pegasus World Cup Turf is on the radar."

Right: Arklow in the paddock.

Left: Arklow. Winning jockey Joel Rosario said, "He broke well and we got a good spot. I stepped on the brakes a little bit because I was comfortable where we were. I saved ground with him, then moved up a little bit outside. I could tell we were going slow so I felt OK being closer with him. He was running good. When we turned for home, I knew he was a fighter and I knew he’s be tough to beat. He finished strong. He’s a good horse."

Right: Arklow

Left: Second place finisher Laccario in the paddock before the race. The Graham Motion trainee improved his record to 4 wins, 4 seconds, and 1 third in 10 starts, earning $634,228 for owner Mandred Ostermann.

Right: Third place finisher Say the Word in the paddock. The Phil D'Amato trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 2 seconds, and 5 thirds in 26 starts, earning $469,292 for co-owner Agave Racing Stable and co-owner/breeder Sam-Son Farm.

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