Old Trieste Won’t Run in Hollywood Gold Cup

Old Trieste, who would have been the favorite in the $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park on Sunday, is out of the race after developing a fever, according to trainer Mike Puype.

“I came by the barn [Tuesday] afternoon and he looked miserable, very uncomfortable,” Puype said. “I just know this horse too well, so we took his temperature and it was 103.

“It’s devastating. He loves this track.”

Old Trieste, a 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy, is unbeaten in three races at Hollywood Park. He won the Californian, a prep race for the Gold Cup, by seven lengths May 29--his first start of 1999. After three consecutive stakes victories last year, he didn’t race for nearly nine months because of foot problems.

Without Old Trieste, the 60th running of the Gold Cup will probably have only four starters: Puerto Madero, Real Quiet, Malek and Budroyale. Puerto Madero was second to Skip Away in last year’s Gold Cup. Real Quiet will be the first Kentucky Derby winner to run in the Gold Cup since Sunday Silence in 1990. Entries will be taken Thursday morning.