Eventually, It’s All ‘Quiet on Hollywood Gold Cup Front

With an eighth of a mile to run in Sunday’s $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park, Mike Pegram--the owner of 9-10 favorite Real Quiet--was hardly a fan of jockey Jerry Bailey.

“I wasn’t a happy camper,” said Pegram, questioning the riding tactics of Bailey at that point.

Proving again that horses can have troubled trips no matter the size of the field--in this instance four horses--Real Quiet lacked room along the inside entering the stretch, then was blocked again while trying to rally.

But room finally developed when Bailey, one of the world’s best jockeys, moved back to the rail and Real Quiet got up to beat Budroyale, the longest shot at nearly 8-1, by a half-length in 1:59 3/5 for the 1 1/4 miles.

This made trainer Bob Baffert a winner with his first starter in the Gold Cup and left Real Quiet, who needed every bit of the 10 furlongs to win for the sixth time in 20 starts, unbeaten in four tries at the distance. The $600,000 winner’s share pushed his career earnings to $3,271,803.

Of course, it also left Pegram feeling differently about Bailey, who rode Real Quiet--the 1998 Kentucky Derby winner--for the first time Sunday after Gary Stevens decided not to return from England for the race.

“Jerry had a lot more patience than I did today,” Pegram said. “This horse will always be No. 1 in my heart. He’s a nice horse and I think he’s proving it.”

While Malek, the 8-5 second choice, and Budroyale, the $50,000 claimer who has earned more than $892,000 for owner Jeffrey Sengara, set a moderate pace, Real Quiet was pinned inside. This dilemma was created by Puerto Madero, who was ridden by Real Quiet’s former jockey, Kent Desormeaux, who lost the mount after the colt was second as the 1-2 favorite in the New Orleans Handicap in his first start of 1999.

Figuring Puerto Madero would fall out of contention around the quarter pole--which turned out to be the case--Bailey didn’t panic. In the end, although it hadn’t been as easy as it was with Sultry Song, Cigar or Skip Away, the Hall of Fame rider had his second Gold Cup victory in a row and fourth since 1992.

For Baffert, the victory capped a successful weekend. On Saturday, General Challenge won the Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park while Chilluki, his brilliant 2-year-old filly, remained unbeaten with a decisive victory in the Debutante at Churchill Downs.

Then, shortly after the Gold Cup ceremonies, Joe Who won the $250,000 Firecracker Breeders’ Cup Handicap at 12-1 on a yielding turf course at Churchill Downs. This came after the Baffert-trained Silver Charm, the 1997 Kentucky Derby winner who was recently retired, was honored in a ceremony at Churchill Downs.

As for the Gold Cup, Baffert said: “A mile and a quarter is Real Quiet’s distance. We knew we could win it. Winning the Gold Cup is a big thing for me. I’ve always wanted to win the Santa Anita Handicap and this race. It’s like winning one of the classics.

“I knew it was going to be a great race. All of these horses are very close.”

Budroyale nearly pulled it off for Sengara and trainer Ted West Jr. in what was the gelding’s third stakes start in 29 days.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him if he had won by 10 lengths,” said an emotional Sengara. “He gives his all every single time and keeps proving himself over and over again.”

Trainer Richard Mandella, who was looking for his third win in the last four Gold Cups, instead had to settle for third and fourth money. Malek finished a neck behind Budroyale and Puerto Madero, who looked as though he was going to be one of the stars of the handicap division this year after his January win in the Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, was last, nearly eight lengths behind Real Quiet.

“I thought Malek got a little tired the last eighth of a mile, but he ran a great race, “ Mandella said of the 6-year-old who was making his first start since finishing second in the Dubai World Cup three months ago. “I have no complaints with him. He just came up a little bit short at the end. He tried his heart out.

“The frustration is trying to figure what I’ve done wrong with Puerto Madero.”

OTHER RACES: Mazel Trick wins Triple Bend Handicap in fast fashion, and Enjoy The Moment is winner at odds of 8-1 in A Gleam Handicap. Page 12