He Could Skip Cup After His Legs Swell

Skip Away’s presence in the $1-million Hollywood Gold Cup a week from today is no longer definite.

Trainer Sonny Hine, who also owns the 5-year-old son of Skip Trial with wife Carolyn, cast some doubt Saturday when he said the horse has some “minor” swelling in both front legs.

The swelling surfaced the day after Skip Away got loose while galloping Friday morning at Belmont Park. Pacificbounty cut in front of Skip Away and fell, and the Hines’ meal ticket ducked to avoid Pacificbounty and lost his exercise rider. He was believed to have been loose for about 20 minutes.

“It’s minor, but [the swelling’s] there,” said Hine. “The horse is not lame and the horse is not sore, but we’re concerned.

“After the incident, he seemed clean and sound. I looked at him [Saturday morning] and there was some soft filling. It looked like nothing. We took him out and he was sound. I walked him about 25 minutes and when he was done, his legs were down tight, which is a good sign. We put the tack on him and jogged him 1 1/2 miles, and I’ve postponed his work from Monday to Tuesday.

“If he gets his work in Tuesday, we’ll be [at Hollywood Park]. We’re anxious to come, and now that Silver Charm is in there, we’re doubly anxious. But [Skip Away] has to go to the Gold Cup first class. I don’t want to make any excuses for him. If I come, you can bet he’s 100%.”

Silver Charm, who is to return to trainer Bob Baffert’s barn at Santa Anita today after shipping from Louisville, is scheduled to work for the Gold Cup on Tuesday morning.

Gentlemen will have his final drill for the Gold Cup today. The 6-year-old, who hasn’t started since finishing last as the 1-20 choice in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 7, is the defending champion in the Grade I race.

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Old Trieste, who faltered to 10th after setting the pace for six furlongs in the Kentucky Derby, is the 8-5 favorite against five other 3-year-olds in the $100,000-added Affirmed Handicap today at Hollywood Park.

Owned by Gary Biszantz’s Cobra Farm Inc. and trained by Mike Puype, Old Trieste will be trying for his first stakes win in the Affirmed, a Grade III at 1 1/16 miles. Chris McCarron, who has been aboard the colt for both of his victories, will ride again today.

Old Topper, who won the seven-furlong Harry Henson in his last appearance, is the 5-2 second choice. The son of Gilded Time is winless in two tries around two turns for trainer Noble Threewitt.

Completing the field are Scooter Brown, Son’s Corona, Historic and Kraal.

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A day before Threewitt, 87, tries to win another added-money race with Old Topper, Lyman Rollins, 78, got the money with 26-1 longshot Irrelevant in the $75,300 Haggin Stakes at Hollywood Park.

In a race that was supposed to be dominated by Lightning Saint and Time Bandit, Irrelevant, a 2-year-old California-bred son of Native Wizard, beat 11-1 shot Waki American, by half a length in a pedestrian 1:05 1/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

Martin Pedroza rode the winner, who is perfect in two starts for owners Melissa and Shirley Ford. He added Lasix on Saturday after winning by three lengths locally on May 31.

Lightning Saint, the 7-10 favorite, finished fifth, and Time Bandit, a troubled fourth in the Westchester last month for trainer Wayne Lukas, was seventh as the 2-1 second choice.

Horse Racing Notes

Making her stakes debut, Mossflower remained unbeaten in six starts with a stellar performance in the $250,000 Hempstead Handicap on Saturday at Belmont Park. The 4-year-old Affirmed filly easily defeated Glitter Woman, 1997 3-year-old filly champion Ajina and three others in 1:39 4/5 for the 1 1/16 miles. Robbie Davis rode for trainer Richard Schosberg and the Whitewood Farm. . . . Favored Dushynator, making his first start since last Sept. 5, ran down second choice Eternity Range in the final yards to take the $250,000 Golden Gate Handicap on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields. Corey Nakatani was aboard for trainer Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms. . . . Francie, the 8-5 favorite, won the $66,000-added Cool Air for owner The Hat Ranch and trainer Mel Stute.