2011 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1)

I loved this race
I was there
I cashed on this race
My Favorite
Date/Track:
7/9/2011, Betfair Hollywood Park
Post Time:
4:42 PM PT
Distance:
1 1/4 m (Synthetic)
Age/Sex:
3+ M
Time:
2:01.57

What the Nation is saying about the 2011 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1)...

Who would have though a gelding competing in starter allowances would cause such an enormous uproar in America? Well, Rapid Redux managed to do just that when he broke the modern American win streak last night, Thursday, November 21, 2011. The record was held by America’s sweetheart, the great mare,...Read More
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  • genie918 · While I feel Rapid Redux should be recognized at the Eclipse Awards for his accomplishment, I do not believe that he deserves HOY because of the level of competition/races he has participated in. My vote would go for Havre de Grace. This year she won 5 races--3 GI and 2 G2 that included a win in the Woodward against the boys. Her only defeats were in the G2 Delaware Handicap by a nose to the great Blind Luck and a fourth place finish in the BC Classic. In the Classic, she overcame traffic problems, being bumped and was still finishing strongly in the end, so her loss was respectable. Curlin won HOY honors in 2008 with a similiar record: 5 wins/4 GI and one ungraded race in Dubai, a second in the Man o' War and a fourth place finish in the BC Classic. Now, I realize that one of Curlin's wins came in the Dubai World Cup--a race that adds extra points to ones resume when reviewing championship honors, but we have to keep in mind the type of year it has been in 2011. Havre de grace's record has been solid and consistent ALL year, so I hope the voters recognize this and give her the year end honors. · 188 days ago ·
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  • Snowking6 · Rapid Redux is already in the history books--and deserves special notice at the Eclipse Awards and in other venues, and should never be forgotten. I would love to see him retired as soon as it makes sense to the Kentucky Horse Park. But Horse of the Year--even in a muddled year, does not make sense--simply because he is not at the class level to have made his record against the other contenders for HOY--almost certainly. We love him, though!! Great to see his sort in these modern times. In some ways, he is MY Horse of the Year! · 188 days ago ·
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Entering off three straight graded stakes wins on turf including a pair of Grade I’s, Acclamation successfully transferred his front-running game to the main track... Read More
  • RamonDimas · DAMN this horse is soooooooooooooooooooo sooooooooooooooooooo GREAT i think he is going to win the CLASSIC!! · 273 days ago ·
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  • boxersdaddy · there is a question as to whether acclamation can transfer his successes from turf and poly to dirt. · 262 days ago ·
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By now you’ve probably all heard the news that First Dude has been retired due to a tendon injury. The four-year-old son of Stephen Got Even was having a breakthrough season, coming off three straight victories, including the Hollywood Gold Cup in his latest. The tendon strain was believed to have o...Read More
Our favorite part of the year is upon us with the turf meeting the surf for the 72nd season of racing paradise at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club...Read More
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  • Raidr30 · Mr. Commons just changed that. First Favorite to finally win! · 313 days ago ·
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  • mdoche · Chalky end to the day with a meager Pick 4 payout. · 313 days ago ·
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A miler, a sprinter and a classic horse all top this week's Power Ranking, and they are all fillies. Read More
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  • timgsmith10 · You may be right but as of today he hasnt faced a horse like Canford Cliffs. And He hasnt beat Goldikova so he is #3 in Europe at a mile until proven wrong. · 315 days ago ·
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  • horsisars · Oh my favorite.. Woodbinemile.. knows for certain the outcome of races... hooray everyone just listen to his wisdom... I to am hopeing for Frankel... but to tell people to remember there stupidity for thinking Canford Cliffs could win.. well that tell me how smart you are... Poor comment. · 315 days ago ·
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Every year there is always one division that stands above the rest in overall excellence, and in 2011, I have little doubt that America's top category of runners are the Older Females. Consistency is a mark of quality, and the best of this group run very well, and they do it every time. Three star f...Read More
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  • tiznow · Until Blind Luck gets beat this year without any kind of excuse, she's my top pick. · 326 days ago ·
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  • MzWTF · Blind Luck has just added another notch in her belt winning The Delaware. An awesome little madam who never stops trying. She and Gomez are starring together. · 317 days ago ·
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This week's Power Ranking has more ups and downs than an elevator, and many new faces, too! Read More
When the gates opened and the field turned for home it was not Twirling Candy running them all down, it was First Dude.Read More
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  • DeadHeat · I agree about the dirt statement Stevebiscuit, but you never know until they run in a circle. Personally I've always been a fan of First Dude and felt he had this win coming, so i'm not upset by the finish in the least. All three performed like champs. · 322 days ago ·
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  • 12 Clip · Good article Laura. The transformation of First Dude from a front-runner to a closer has been quite a transformation for the son of Stephen Got Even. His new style is so much better suited for his body-type. The Dude is a big colt that hits the ground hard. The way he closed in the Gold Cup reminded me of how Curlin use to grind them down. A winner of three in-a-row, it now seems like The Dude has no problem taking pictures in the winners circle. I think his style is perfect for Churchill Downs and the classic distance. And remember he was in the race last year as a three-year-old against one of the best fields ever assembled. This year I can visualize him getting a similar trip to the one Blame got in the Classic. There's still alot of racing til then, and Baffert needs to figure out what his next race will be. Although the Pacific Classic looks like the most likely spot. I'm not so sure if First Dude will be able to grip and dig as well on Del Mar's poly-track. He is 3 for 3 in the money lifetime on synthetic tracks, so with him I think the surface probably doesn't matter, but nonetheless it is Del Mar · 322 days ago ·
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i figured first dude to win
After the mile and a quarter classic journey of the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup, Bob Baffert knew one of his two Dudes was the winner...Read More
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  • mshutty · You captured a terrfic post-race interview with Bob Baffert. Really well done, Marc! · 324 days ago ·
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  • mdoche · Thanks guys. It was a great atmoshpher at the old track of the lakes and flowers and a great race. Off the pace is the place to be for First Dude and Game On Dude ran his eyeballs out. Don't discount Twirling Candy just yet either. He did get the perfect trip, but he can still improve from here. · 324 days ago ·
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What had already been a memorable Spring/Summer meet for Bob Baffert got even better Saturday when the Hall of Fame trainer finished 1-2 in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup.Read More
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  • champion2011 · Still alot of shuffling going on in the handicap ranks...no clear cut dominant horse · 324 days ago ·
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  • champion2011 · Still alot of shuffling going on in the handicap ranks...no clear cut dominant older horse..as of yet · 324 days ago ·
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its amazing i like it
TC, Coil , Nehro , Uncle Mo , Pool's Play, Premier Pegasus and Blind Luck will carry the flag for america against the best of the world. victoire pisa, so you think, rewilding, canford cliffs and work force
A win by twirling candy is good for the division, he will be the division leader and will be rated way above the others... coil will poise a treat, if he will be able to win the swaps, he will be also a contention..
aww no blind luck! too bad!!! mm if not twirling candy.. im going for Gem.. why not!
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  • lesleymorley · I'm still hanging in there for Gem. Twirling Candy would be fine, too. If First Dude wins, though, I just might have to shoot myself in the head. But that's just because of how I feel about who he's named after. Poor horse...I feel bad rooting against him, but I just can't help myself. I cringe every time I hear that name. · 325 days ago ·
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  • icyhotboo · just watched replay of big cap- didn't realize TW was rank. that explains loss of energy.with a half way decent trip he's way the best. · 325 days ago ·
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these two horses Twirling Candy and Setsuko have the best pedigree.
i have change my opinion for Hollywood Gold Cup, after studying the the pedegree, my selction are now. 1.Twirling Candy,2. Setsuko, 3. Game On Dude, 4. Awesome Gem, the race will be between Twirling Candy and Setsuko. the trifector :1. Twirling Candy,2.Setsuko, 3. either Game In Dude or Awesome Gem vica versa, anoother selection 1. Setsuko,2. Twirling Candy, 3. Game On Dude or Awesome gam vica versa.
Saturday’s Pick 6 from Hollywood Park includes the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and up traveling a mile and a quarter on Cushion Track. Morning line favorite Twirling Candy is a bit of a headcase for Sadler. He exits a smart win in the G2 Californian but was his own worst enemy in the ...Read More
They call Awesome Gem a "working man's horse." A look at the stats tells you why. Consider: forty-four starts for West Point Thoroughbreds, 32 in graded races, 15 in Grade 1 events. Eight wins, four of them graded, including a score in the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup, a title he'll defend in the 72nd ed...Read More
Twirling Candy is the 4-5 Hollywood Gold Cup favorite but Setsuko and Dark Cove are more attractive betting propositions. Read More
  • RamonDimas · I THINK THAT SETSUKO HAS A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING THIS RACE.. · 326 days ago ·
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  • yukichan · I think Setsuko will be tough to beat...But I love Awesome Gem--he tries so hard each time out. · 326 days ago ·
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