Bodog Beat

Tiago will go head-to-head against Heatseeker at this weekend's Hollywood Gold Cup. (AP Images)

Saturday’s 69^th running of the Gr. 1 $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup features another battle between two of the country’s top older handicap horses Heatseeker and Tiago. Sentimental support in the prestigious Gold Cup will likely go to the 9-year-old Perfect Drift and the multiple stakes winning California-bred McCann’s Mojave.

Last year’s Gold Cup winner Lava Man, who shares the record of three consecutive victories in the 1 ¼ mile classic with the immortal Native Diver, has declined his 120-pound weight assignment and will make his next appearance at Del Mar, according to trainer Doug O’Neill.

Heatseeker, who has blossomed since joining the Jerry Hollendorfer stable, claimed his first major stakes victory in March when he stormed home in the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Handicap. A trip to Arkansas followed and the colt finished second in the Gr. 2 Oaklawn Handicap beaten a head by Tiago, who had finished fourth in the Big ‘Cap. Returning to California the 5-year-old turned up the heat in the Gr. 2 Californian Stakes, drawing off to an overwhelming 5 ¼ lengths victory.

Tiago is trained by John Shirreffs, who was also the conditioner of the colt’s half-brother, Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. Tiago boasts the only victory over Heatseeker this season and hopes to turn the trick again on Saturday.

2007 Pacific Classic winner Student Council exits an impressive victory in the Gr. 1 Pimlico Special and deserves a second look as does Santa Anita Handicap runner-up Go Between.

When Perfect Drift finished fourth in the recent Gr. 1 Shoemaker Mile on the Hollywood Park turf, the 9-year-old gelding was coming off an 11 month layoff for trainer Richard Mandella. The veteran campaigner has five Breeders’ Cup starts on his resume and a good result in the Gold Cup could earn him a trip across town for a record sixth appearance.

McCann’s Mojave enters the Gold Cup off an impressive 3 ½ length score in Golden Gate’s Gr. 3 Berkely Handicap for northern Cal trainer Steve Specht and the veteran runner is a favorite on the California circuit.

Other starters include Big Booster, Mast Track, Racketeer and Spice Route.

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