Trainer Ron Ellis, who won the Affirmed Handicap
Saturday with Golden Itiz and two earlier stakes with Rail Trip, hopes for a
big finish at this meet with the pair.
“Golden Itiz came back good; we’re keeping our
fingers crossed for next month,” said Ellis, aiming 3-year-old Golden Itiz for
the $200,000 Swaps Stakes July 17, one week after Rail Trip defends honors in
the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup.
“Rail Trip will work a half mile Monday,” said Ellis
of the 5-year-old gelding who won convincingly in the Mervyn LeRoy Handicap and
Californian at this meet.
Ellis seeks his first Swaps victory with Golden Itiz
although owner Jay Em Ess Stable won it with Arson Squad in 2006 and jockey
Tyler Baze won the race with Tres Borrachos in 2008.