The weekend feature at Hollywood Park is the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup S. (G1), which looks like the next stop for multiple Grade 1 hero Game on Dude. Trained by Bob Baffert, the Florida-bred son of Awesome Again is the defending champ in this race and is 3-for-4 lifetime on the Cushion Track. The six-year-old dark bay enters on a four-race win streak since December and will be a huge factor with anything close to his top effort.
Californian (G2) winner Clubhouse Ride finally broke through after a slew of second-place runs, and the Craig Lewis trainee rates a big chance after his impressive score most recently. The son of Candy Ride has never been better. Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2) runner-up Kettle Corn, Californian third Oilisblackgold, 2012 Travers S. (G1) upsetter Golden Ticket and the speedy Batti Man, a nice allowance winner two back, are all set to try and knock off the likely odds-on favorite.
The Saturday undercard at Hollywood will be led by the $150,000 Royal Heroine S. (G2), while Thursday will play host to the $150,000 Swaps S. (G2), which is led by Bluegrass S. (G1) winner Java’s War and Chief Havoc, who was a fine local allowance winner most recently.