Rail Trip looms a heavy favorite in Gold Cup repeat bid

After posting a near 10-1 upset in 2009, RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) will be

heavily favored when he defends his title in Saturday's $500,000

Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). The Ron Ellis-trained gelding brings excellent form

into the 1 1/4-mile event, registering impressive victories over Hollywood

Park's Cushion Track in the Californian (G2) and Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2), and he'll

become the first horse since Eleven Stitches in 1981 to sweep all three events

in the same year with a win.

A repeat would also enable Rail Trip to join Lava Man (2005-07) and Native

Diver (1965-67) as the only multiple winners of Hollywood Park's premiere event

for older horses.

Owned by Mace and Samantha Siegel's Jay Em Ess Stable, Rail Trip will face

six rivals in Saturday's 71st edition. The Kentucky-bred notched his first

graded score in last year's event, earning a career-best 101 BRIS Speed rating

for the convincing three-length decision, but made only more start before

heading to the sidelines, a close third in the Pacific Classic (G1). The bay

five-year-old returned from an eight-month layoff with 3 1/4-length win in the 1

1/16-mile Mervyn LeRoy and strolled to a 2 3/4-length triumph in the

nine-furlong Californian.

Rafael Bejarano will return to the saddle aboard the 123-pound highweight,

who has won eight of 11 career starts and is on verge of becoming a millionaire

with $967,790 in earnings.

A couple of races earlier on the program, Grade 1 winners GAYEGO (Gilded

Time) and M ONE RIFLE (One Man Army) highlight a field of eight in the $250,000

Triple

Bend H. (G1). Ancient Title (G1) scorer Gayego will make his first start in

California since a neck fourth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). After opening

his five-year-old campaign with a second in the Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3) in

Dubai, the Godolphin colorbearer wound up a subpar eighth in the Golden Shaheen

(UAE-G1), but he's eligible to rebound at Hollywood where he owns a two-for-two

mark. Bejarano will pick up the mount.

M One Rifle, who rolled to a 2 1/2-length victory in the Malibu S. (G1) three

starts back at Saturday's seven-furlong distance, is a wire-to-wire threat. The

Bruce Headley trainee hasn't shown the same flair in his last two starts, but

won't have to deal with nemesis Cost of Freedom (Cee's Tizzy), who out-gunned

him to the lead both times. The four-year-old gelding looms as the controlling

speed beneath Mike Smith.

Los Angeles (G3) runner-up E Z'S GENTLEMAN (Yankee Gentleman) is also

entered, and SANGAREE (Awesome Again) will cut back in distance for Baffert

following a pair of commendable seconds in the Californian and Mervyn LeRoy.