COUGHING NORTHERN SPUR TO MISS $500,000 HOLLYWOOD TURF CUP
Northern Spur, the probable favorite in Sunday's $500,000 Hollywood Turf Cup,
will miss the Grade I race after developing a cough at his Santa Anita Park base.
"He's missed two days of training because of a cough," trainer Ron McAnally said. "We've treated him with cough medication and antibiotics. It isn't a serious thing, but it means he will miss (the Turf Cup).
"I don't know what will be next for him, but he will remain in training," McAnally added. "We'll just have to wait and see what's out there."
Northern Spur, a 4-year-old Irish-bred by Sadler's Wells, has won two of four starts -- including the $2-million Breeders' Cup Turf -- and $1,265,000 in 1995. The Charles Cella-owned colt is considered a leading contender for the 1995 Male Grass Eclipse Award.
FIELD FOR GRADE I TURF CUP SWELLS TO 14
In other Hollywood Turf Cup developments:
* Chris McCarron, who would have ridden Northern Spur, has picked up the mount on Party Season from trainer Neil Drysdale. Drysdale, who will saddle two in the Turf Cup, said Gary Stevens has the call on Patio de Naranjos.
* Parme worked six furlongs in 1:14 4/5, handily, on a firm turf course Wednesday at Hollywood Park.
* Privity, one of two fillies expected to run in the Turf Cup, drilled five furlongs in 1:01 4/5, handily at Hollywood Park.
* Earl Of Barking worked five furlongs in 1:01 1/5, handily, Tuesday at Santa Anita Park
* Trainer Rodney Rash indicated he plans to run both Celtic Arms and Rifapour in the Turf Cup. The latter, a 3-year-old by Shahrastani, made his U. S. debut in the Grade I Turf Classic Oct. 7 at Belmont Park, finishing fourth. The Irish-bred colt was a Group 2 winner at 12 furlongs in France.
* Kiri's Clown, who dueled with Tychonic into the stretch in Sunday's Lure Handicap, will wheel right back in the Turf Cup, according to trainer Philip G. Johnson.
Probables for the Hollywood Turf Cup, to be decided at 1 1/2 miles on turf: Celtic Arms, no rider, 126; Earl Of Barking, G. F. Almeida, 126; Hollywood Dream, John Reid, 123; Kiri's Clown, Mike Luzzi, 126; Parme, Corey Nakatani, 126; Party Season, Chris McCarron, 126; Patio de Naranjos, Gary Stevens, 126; Privity, Chris Antley, 119; Rifapour, no rider, 122; Royal Chariot, Alex Solis, 126; Shrewd Idea, no rider, 126; Suave Tern, no rider, 126; Talloires, Kent Desormeaux, 126 and Tikkanen, no rider, 126.
Note: The maximum field for the Turf Cup is 14. If the number of entries exceeds the starting gate capacity, first preference will be given to graded or group stakes winners in 1995. Second preference will be given to those horses with the highest total earnings in 1995.
WILD GOLD WORKS SIX FURLONGS IN PREP FOR UNDERWOOD STAKES
Frank H. Stronach's Wild Gold drilled six furlongs in 1:15 4/5, handily, at Bay
Meadows Tuesday, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer indicated the 5-year-old California-bred will ship to Hollywood Park for Sunday's $100,000-added Vernon O. Underwood
Breeders' Cup Stakes.
Wild Gold, who has won four of his last five starts including the $100,000 Cal Cup Sprint Nov. 11 at Oak Tree, is a study in consistency. In his last five races, all at six furlongs, Wild Gold has run a 1:08 1/5, 1:08 3/5, 1:08 4/5, 1:08 3/5 and 1:08 3/5. The only loss was the 1:08 4/5, when he was beaten a half-length by Lucky Forever in the $207,000 Bay Meadows Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Trainer Bob Baffert, meanwhile, said Mike Pegram's High Stakes Player will make his stakes debut in the Underwood. High Stakes Player, a 3-year-old
Kentucky-bred, has won three of five career starts including two wire-to-wire allowance victories at the Oak Tree meeting.
And trainer Rodney Rash indicated Powis Castle, who overcame trouble to finish fifth in the Hollywood Turf Express on Nov. 24, will switch back to dirt and run in the Underwood.
Probables for the 15th running of the Vernon O. Underwood Stakes, a Grade III event to be decided at six furlongs: Cyrano Storme, Rene Douglas; Forest Gazelle, no rider; High Stakes Player, David Flores; Lucky Forever, G. F. Almeida; Plenty Zloty, Eddie Delahoussaye; Powis Castle, Gary Stevens; Remarfable, Alex Solis, and Wild Gold, Russell Baze.
Possible: Gundaghia, no rider, and Lit De Justice, Corey Nakatani.
TIME CHANGE FOR HOLLYWOOD PARK HOTEL IMPLOSION
The demolition of the Park Hotel by means of implosion has been changed to
8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.
The implosion of the Park Hotel -- located on the Northwest corner of the Hollywood Park property -- had previously been scheduled for 10 a.m. The time change was mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Due to the time change, the following training hours will be in effect on Sunday, Dec. 10 only:
5 a.m. to 7 a.m. -- track open for training.
7 a.m. to 9 a.m. -- track closed
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. -- track open for training.
EARLY BIRD WAGERING HOURS EXTENDED AT AUTUMN MEETING
Hours for Hollywood Park's popular Early Bird Wagering will be increased
beginning Thursday, Dec. 7, continuing through the conclusion of the Autumn Meeting
on Dec. 24.
The new hours are as follows:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays -- 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Fridays -- 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Early Bird Wagering is available at the Hollywood Park Casino only. The Casino is the country's first live gaming casino built at a racetrack.
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