INGLEWOOD, Calif. (June 19, 2008) - Horses ranging in age four to nine are on the list of 15 nominations for the 69th running of the Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday, June 28.
Perfect Drift, a winner of $4.6 million, is the elder statesman as he would become the first 9-year-old to start in the 1¼-mile classic since the great John Henry finished second in 1984.
California-bred McCann's Mojave, an 8-year-old who won the Berkeley Handicap in his last start, has amassed earnings of $1.4 million.
Three-time winner Lava Man - aiming for his fourth consecutive victory at age seven in 2008 - has made $5.2 million and is the only horse to win California's three classics for older horses - the Santa Anita Handicap, Gold Cup and Pacific Classic - in the same year. Big Booster, also seven, finished third - beaten less than one length by Lava Man - in the 2007 running. He has won the San Juan Capistrano and Gallant Man Handicap in his last two starts.
Six-year-old Student Council, winner of the Pimlico Special in his last start and the 2007 Pacific Classic, has earned $1.3 million. He is one of three 6-year-old nominees. Storm Military was beaten a nose in the Dallas Turf Cup on Memorial Day, while Zappa won the San Pasqual Handicap in January before finishing fifth in the Santa Anita Handicap.
Irish-bred Heatseeker, a 5-year-old son of Giant's Causeway, has won the Native Diver Handicap, the Santa Anita Handicap and The Californian since last December while boosting his bankroll to $1.1 million. He has company in three others his age: Pacesetter A.P. Xcellent was beaten a nose by Lava Man in the 2007 Gold Cup; Go Between won the Sunshine Millions Classic in January and was second to Heatseeker in the Big 'Cap, and Racketeer finished second to Heatseeker in the 2007 Native Diver.
Heatseeker's rival, Tiago, is one of four 4-year-old nominees. A winner of $1.7 million, he won the Santa Anita Derby, Swaps and Goodwood in 2007. He has tangled with Heatseeker in his last three starts, beating him in the Oaklawn Handicap and finishing behind him in the Big 'Cap and Californian. Mast Track, fifth in the Shoemaker Mile, has a win and a second in two starts on synthetic surfaces; European import Spice Route has won two of 11 starts overseas, and Lone Star Park Handicap runner-up Zanjero won the West Virginia Derby and Indiana Derby in 2007.
No 9-year-old has won the Gold Cup. The lone 8-year-old winner is Native Diver in 1967. Round Table (1957) and Quack (1972) are the only 3-year-old winners. Three 7-year-olds have won, nine 6-year-olds, 24 5-year-olds and 29 4-year-olds.
