Hollywood Gold Cup a prestigious event
Hollywood Gold Cup is one of the famous events of American Thoroughbred racing, scheduled once in a year. This prestigious event is held at a renowned race track, the Hollywood Park Racetrack which is located in Inglewood, California.
Thoroughbreds aged 3 years or above are allowed to participate in this race, the purse of $ 750,000 is awarded to the horse finishing first. This flat race covers a distance of 10 furlongs, which makes 1 ¼ miles.
This high status Grade 1 stakes race was inaugurated in 1938, at Hollywood Park Racetrack, which is located in California, the race is carried on the a synthetic dirt cushion track.
From the very first race held in 1938 till 2011, only three mares have been lucky enough to win this notable event. In 1944 Happy Issue was the first mare, who gave a hit in the race after eight years in 1952 Two Lea won the Hollywood Cup title, in 1968
Princessnesian stole the show and dazzeled with victory.
The first ever female trainer, who achieved victory with the help of her Thoroughbred, was Mary Lou Tuck in 1980. Owner Wild Plum Farm’s, Go West Young Man under jockey Ed Delahoussaye gave a hit in the race, he covered 1 ¼ mile distance in 1 minute and
58.80 seconds.
Numerous records have been made on this track, which has not only increased the level of achievement but has brought a major turn in careers of Thoroughbred, jockeys and trainers.
Since 1938 till 2011 trainer Charles Whittingham has set a record in this event by achieving 8 wins. He is well known for his notable victories, which he had achieved during his career.
This Thoroughbred race horse trainer had his first win in Hollywood Cup in 1971, till 1974 he stood first with different Thoroughbreds, his first horse who gave a hit was Ack Ack under jockey Bill Shoemaker, then Quak under jockey Donald Pierce was declared
winner in 1972.
Kennedy Road in 1973, Tree Of Knowledge in 1974, Exceller in 1978, Ferdinand in 1987, won the race under jockey Bill Shoemaker for Charles.
Trainer Charles Whittingham’s Perrauit under jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr gave a hit in1982 and Perrault under the same jockey, was declared winner in 1982.
Laffit Pincay, Jr. is known for his nine victories in the Hollywood Cup, his first win was in 1970 mounted on trainer Carl Vandervoort, Jr’s Pleasure Seeker. Ancient Title trained by Keith L. Stucki, Sr. won the race with Laffit in 1975, Crystal Water trained
by roger Clapp gave a hit in 1977.
In 1979 Affirmed, a famous Thoroughbred was declared winner, Laffit with Perrault in 1982, Greinton in 1985, Super Diamond in 1986 won the races. After a few years in 2001 and 2002, he was declared winner with Aptitude and Sky Jack.
Native Driver, a brown gelding has given three hits in the race under jockey Jerry Lambert, his first win was in 1965, second victory was in 1966 and third in 1967.
Lava Man has also been honored with three victories, first win was under Pat Valenzuela in 2005, whereas for second and third were achieved under jockey Corey Nakatani, in 2006 and 2007.
Quack a bay stallion, has set a record of covering the 10 furlong distance in 1 minute and 58.20 seconds in 1972, in 2009 Rail Trip was declared the second fastest horse to cover the distance in 2 minutes and 0.75 seconds.
Recently in 2011 owner Donald R. Dizney’s First Dude, under jockey Martin Garcia gave a hit and won the purse for trainer Bob Baffert by covering the distance in 2 minutes and 1.57 seconds.
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