Hollywood Gold Cup 2011 – Twirling Candy favourite to take on Awesome Gem
As Hollywood Gold Cup draws closer it attracts a field of 8 horses, but among the experienced lot are the likes of Awesome Gem, who won the 1 ¼ mile event back in 2010.
The favourite to be considered for the $500,000 Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup is Twirling Candy.
Twirling Candy will have an opportunity to dazzle his critics on 9 July at Hollywood Park, as the son of Candy Ride will attempt to run on such a distance for the second time.
The last time the four-year old bay colt ran in the 1 mile 2 furlong distance it was the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, after a rough run with a few bumps on the track, Twirling Candy, finished fifth, 5 ¼ lengths behind the winner Blind Luck.
Once in his four-year old career, Twirling Candy did come up with a solid run in the 1 mile 1 furlong race at Hollywood Park when she won the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on 4 June. The colt has what it takes to run the distance and answer his critics, who
assume that he is the best among the so-so group, of older handicap horses.
All looks good for the dark brown colt as Twirling Candy breezed 7 furlongs and showed considerable pace with a time of 1 minute 25 1/5 seconds on 2 July.
Twirling Candy has a sparkling career record with five wins out of seven starts, twice finishing off the cards. Once he finished fourth in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes on 3 October 2010 at Hollywood Park over a distance of a mile and a furlong. Then he fell
way short with no luck on his side, to finish fifth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at Santa Anita on 6 March 2011.
In the field of 8 horses there will be a few contenders for the Gold Cup. Bob Baffert will unleash First Dude and Game on Dude. The latter dude, Game on Dude won the big cap at Santa Anita when he won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap by a mere nose defeating
Setsuko.
Last year’s three-year old champion filly, Blind Luck, will not be able to grace the field of eight as she is considered for the 16 July Grade 2 Delaware Handicap instead.
Blind Luck is scratched so, Miss Match, will be the lone female on the day against seven male horses at Hollywood Park.
Awesome Again, Stephen Got Even, Awesome Gem, Setsuko will be filling up the starting gates but the unit does not look as if they will generate pace. The pace setting responsibilities will ultimately go to Twirling Candy, or, Game on Dude.
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