HOLLYWOOD PARK : Itsallgreektome Enters Turf Cup Eyeing Eclipse

In a bid to capture an Eclipse Award as best grass horse of 1990, Jhayare Stable’s Itsallgreektome will definitely run in the $500,000 Grade I Hollywood Turf Cup on Sunday.

“He’s dead fit, and a win in the Turf Cup could give him a final push for best turf horse award,” said trainer Wally Dollase.

The 3-year-old gray gelding will face a strong field in the 1 1/2-mile turf test that offers a $275,000 winner’s share.

Itsallgreektome is a Florida- bred son of Sovereign Dancer who has steadily climbed to the forefront from an unheralded beginning at Hollywood Park last spring. In that first start on the turf, on May 5 in the Spotlight Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Itsallgreektome went off at 32-1 and came running late to defeat Warcraft by a nose in a 1:34 1/5 mile. He was 14-1 in his next start, the Will Rogers Handicap, but won by a handy 1 3/4 lengths at 1 1/16 miles.

From there, it was strong races in the Cinema Handicap (third), La Jolla Handicap (second by a nose), Del Mar Derby (second, but awarded first on a disqualification of Tight Spot) and a win in the Ascot Handicap at Bay Meadows.

Then there was the surprising Breeders’ Cup Mile, where he went off at 37-1 and ran second to Royal Academy while missing by a neck. That set him up for the Hollywood Derby, on Nov. 11, and the late-running gelding downed Septieme Ciel by a head in a quick 1:46 3/5.

Now comes the move to longer stuff, the Turf Cup at 12 furlongs.

“It’s the only way to go,” said Dollase. ‘We’re looking for some pace to run at, so when they begin backing up, we can make the late run at them. I would hope that a horse like Fly Till Dawn would be the pacesetter, but in his last race he didn’t do that and still won. I just hope they don’t go too slow.

“I think if he (Itsallgreektome) can win this race, it puts him a little closer to With Approval in the Eclipse Award consideration. When you’re going against a horse who has won a million dollars, it’s hard to get the nod,” added Dollase.

Itsallgreektome, in 13 races, has banked $638,775, all but $14,850 of it this year. His turf record is excellent: 8 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds and a third. The Del Mar Derby remains on record as a second due to legal questions still to be resolved.

A strong field of 10 or more is shaping up for the Turf Cup, including a trio nominated by Bobby Frankel: Double Wedge, Missionary Ridge and Mashkour.

Trainer Ron McAnally will run his 3-year-old Silver Ending in the Turf Cup. Silver Ending was last seen in the Hollywood Derby where he finished fifth, about seven lengths back.

McAnally also said Ultrasonido will miss the race because of a bruised right foot that caused him to miss training time.

Others probable for the Turf Cup are Fly Till Dawn, Live The Dream, Rial, Silver Medallion and Hodges Bay.