HOLLYWOOD PARK : Concern Has Third Shot at Cigar

Unsuccessful in two tries this year, Concern will take a third shot at Cigar in the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup on Sunday.

Rather than wait for the weights to come out Thursday for next Tuesday’s Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park, trainer Richard Small and owner Robert Meyerhoff decided to ship Concern back to California.

Small confirmed the decision Monday to Martin Panza, Hollywood Park’s racing secretary. It was believed that the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner was coming back to Hollywood Park after his impressive victory in The Californian earlier this month, but there was some uncertainty when it was learned that Cigar was coming for the Gold Cup.

A winner of eight consecutive races, Cigar is due to arrive at Hollywood Park on Saturday morning. Concern is scheduled to ship in that evening.

The field for the 56th Gold Cup, which will be televised nationally by ESPN with a 3:40 p.m. post time, will include all 10 nominees.

Best Pal, who will be trying for his second victory in the race--he won in 1993--worked six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 Monday morning for trainer Richard Mandella.

“He went extremely well,” jockey Chris McCarron said. “It was a very good [workout]. I do expect him to run an improved race in the Gold Cup.”

In his last start, Best Pal was fourth, finishing behind Concern, Tossofthecoin and Tinners Way in The Californian.

*

Trainer John Sadler was fined $1,500 and suspended for 15 days for a medication violation. Madrona, who finished second in Santa Anita’s third race on April 19, tested positive for desmethyl pyrilamine, an antihistamine. The drug is not illegal but must be out of the horse’s system by race day.

The suspension was stayed, “for good cause,” according to the stewards’ ruling, but he will be on probation until Dec. 31.

Horse Racing Notes

Kent Desormeaux was off his mounts because of illness. . . . Possibly Perfect was assigned 124 pounds and Work The Crowd 121 for Sunday’s $300,000 Beverly Hills Handicap. . . . Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Thunder Gulch worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 at Santa Anita. His next start will be in the $500,000 Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 23.