Game On Dude, an easy winner of the Grade II Californian
June 2, was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the $500,000 Hollywood Gold
Cup.
A Grade I at 1 ¼ miles over Cushion Track, the Gold Cup will
be run for the 73rd time Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park. The track’s
signature race is part of a stakes doubleheader, along with the $150,000 Royal
Heroine Mile, a Grade II for fillies and mares on turf.
The Gold Cup is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In’’ race,
meaning the Breeders’ Cup nominated winner will earn a berth in the Breeders’
Cup Classic Nov. 3 at Santa Anita. Additionally, pre-entry and entry fees will
be waived and the winning owner awarded a $10,000 travel allowance.
Owned by partnership
that includes Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Ernie Moody’s
Mercedes Stable LLC and Bernie Schiappa and trained by Hall of Famer Bob
Baffert, Game On Dude will be trying to make up for a nose loss to stablemate First
Dude in the 2011 Gold Cup.
Other probable participants and their weight assignments
include the Baffert-trained, two-time Pacific Classic winner Richard’s Kid (120),
Kettle Corn and Uh Oh Bango (117), Anthony’s Cross (115), Spud Spivens (114)
and recent Vanity upsetter Love Theway Youare
(112).
Should Love Theway Youare, a 4-year-old daughter of Arch
owned by trainer Myung Kwon Cho, run Saturday she would be the first female to
compete in the Gold Cup since Life Is Sweet, who finished third in 2009.
The last filly or mare to win the race was Princessnesian
for owner William Haggin Perry and trainer James Maloney in 1968.
Entries for the Gold Cup and Royal Heroine will be taken
Wednesday.