Symphony Sid hopes for deja vu in
Hollywood Turf Cup
SYMPHONY SID (Unbridled) showed dazzling early foot en route to a 5
1/2-length romp in the October 21 Carleton F. Burke H. (G3), and the reformed
claimer could again loom as the controlling speed in Saturday’s $250,000
Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1).
Claimed by trainer Mike Mitchell for $50,000 at Del Mar in July, the
six-year-old chestnut managed only fifth behind T. H. APPROVAL (With Approval)
in the Del Mar H. (G2) and then came in second in an allowance/optional claiming
event, but he improved markedly in his third start for his new connections in
the Carleton F. Burke. After opening up by 10 lengths through taxing fractions
in the opening stages, Symphony Sid maintained his momentum all the way to the
wire, stopping the clock in 2:24 for 1 1/2 grassy miles at Santa Anita.
Returning rider Michael Baze will try to repeat that performance against seven
rivals in the 1 1/2-mile Turf Cup.
Multiple Grade 2 hero T. H. Approval is exiting an eighth in the November 4
Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs, where regular partner Alex Solis
reported that the gray failed to handle the course. At home in California, the
Eduardo Inda trainee had racked up his second straight tally in the San Juan
Capistrano Invitational H. (G2), followed by victories in the Sunset Breeders’
Cup H. (G2) and the aforementioned Del Mar H. Two starts back, he was just
outdueled by leading Eclipse Award contender The Tin Man (Affirmed) in the
Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship S. (G1). Solis will once again team
up with T. H. Approval at Hollywood.
Grade 1 veteran METEOR STORM (GB) (Bigstone [Ire]) will bid to strike top
form in his third start after a layoff. Successful in the 2004 Manhattan H.
(G1), San Juan Capistrano Invitational and San Luis Rey H. (G2), the Wally
Dollase charge went to the sidelines after scoring in the W. L. McKnight H. (G2)
last December. The seven-year-old returned with an encouraging fourth in the
Kelso Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) in September, then caught soft ground at Woodbine
and checked in fifth in the October 22 Canadian International S. (Can-G1).
Victor Espinoza picks up the mount.
Carleton F. Burke runner-up ARTISTE ROYAL (Ire) (Danehill) will lead the post
parade with Corey Nakatani. Next will come Meteor Storm; multiple Grade 3 winner
COSMONAUT (Lemon Drop Kid), Julien Leparoux; Symphony Sid; T. H. Approval;
Carleton F. Burke fourth MIGHTY MYSTERIOUS (Mystery Storm), Danny Sorenson;
impressive allowance winner BOBOMAN (Kingmambo), Garrett Gomez; and Carleton F.
Burke third RUNAWAY DANCER (Runaway Groom), Aaron Gryder.
Each starter will carry 126 pounds.