Hollywood Turf Cup Picks

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season continues on Friday, November 24 and I have included Hollywood Turf Cup picks below. The Grade 2 event for 3-year-olds and up has a $200,000 purse and the eight entrants will be traveling a mile and a half on the turf course. It is the 7th race on the day after Thanksgiving. 

Hollywood Turf Cup Picks & Final Time Ratings

Francesco Clemente (IRE) added blinkers and scored from off the pace as the even money favorite in an optional-claiming race at 1 3/8 miles on turf in New York on Oct. 19. Chad Brown’s colt picks up sharp turf rider Umberto Rispoli and he might be able to wear these down.

Yes This Time has not won in quite some time and seems overmatched. The Not This Time gelding hit the board in 6 of his last 10 starts. He was 6th in the John Henry (G2) last time. This one is also entered in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit at Del Mar on Saturday, Nov. 25. 

Lukka (CHI) fired trifecta shots in each of his ten starts in Chile. He landed the place in both starts at this distance and he drilled a local turf bullet for this on Nov. 12. These South American imports typically need time to acclimate to their new surroundings. 

Planetario (BRZ) was in good form earlier this year at Santa Anita with a runner-up finish in the San Luis Rey (G3) at a mile and a half, and a victory in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at 1 3/4 miles on turf. He was flat in his last three graded turf routes. His winning rider Hector Berrios strings along and he ran well in both starts at this distance.

Astronaut and Balladeer figure to show the way early and their presence should ensure an honest pace. The latter won the Grade 2 John Henry on the front end on Oct. 1 and is probably the bigger threat. 

Eastern Ocean was nabbed out of his last for $50k by Peter Eurton. Antonio Fresu hops aboard the two-time local winner. The flat mile specialist is probably in too deep.     

Speaking Scout exits a late running show finish in the John Henry (G2) at a mile and a quarter. He won the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby under Friday’s rider Juan Hernandez at Del Mar last fall. He packs a decent late kick and should be running late if he handles this longer trip. 

Hollywood Turf Cup Picks

The Hollywood Turf Cup is the eighth race in my Horse of the Day video series. I will cover one race each day during the 13-day Del Mar Bing Crosby Season, and the bulk of my videos will include stakes action. Check out my Hollywood Turf Cup picks video below.