California fans haven't had an opportunity to see Skippylongstocking outside of a couple of Breeders' Cup appearances. But they will get their chance May 26 at Santa Anita, when the earner of more than $3 million faces six locals in the 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G2).
"The way it was coming up, it looked like he would be the favorite for the race and we've always wanted to try 10 furlongs," said Saffie Joseph Jr., who trains Skippylongstocking for owner Daniel Alonso. "This is a chance to try 10 furlongs in a race that has been pretty historic over the years."
Though the Gold Cup was downgraded to a grade 2 for the 2024 running, it has a storied background. Seabiscuit won the inaugural running at Hollywood Park in 1938, and other winners include Citation, Swaps, Round Table, Gallant Man, Affirmed, and Cigar. Venerable California-breds Native Diver and Lava Man each won the race three consecutive times.
Skippylongstocking arrived at Santa Anita May 19, Joseph said, and quickly acclimated to his surroundings. It's not surprising, given that the 6-year-old son of Exaggerator has started 31 times in a career that has encompassed 15 different tracks.
"He enjoys traveling, and he always tries his best," Joseph said. "What has helped him become a horse that has earned so much money is that he's consistent. We space his races. He's made it easy because he's stayed healthy—that's the important thing."
Skippylongstocking has won eight graded races, including three editions of the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs and two editions of the Charles Town Classic (G2). He ran third in the 2022 Belmont Stakes (G1) and 2023 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), the latter to champions Cody's Wish and National Treasure .
Joseph said that the Gold Cup's distance could be a precursor to Skippylongstocking competing in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) this year instead of the Dirt Mile.
"That's one of the reasons for trying this race," Joseph said, "to see how he handles 10 furlongs at a high level."
Irad Ortiz Jr. has piloted Skippylongstocking several times, winning the 2024 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) with him and running third in it this year. Ortiz is slated to ride Skippylongstocking in the Gold Cup from post 4.
Tarantino, trained by Peter Eurton, finished seventh in the April 19 Oaklawn Handicap after having to race five wide. Prior to that he ran second or third in three graded stakes in California and second in the March 22 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park. He gets a new rider in Juan Hernandez and drew the rail.
Packs a Wahlop and Il Bellator are coming off efforts on the turf.
John Sadler trains Packs a Wahlop, who ran second by just a head in the May 3 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) and will be ridden by Reylu Gutierrez from post 2. A $50,000 claim last December, Packs a Wahlop at 2 in 2022 won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes (G3T) and Zuma Beach Stakes (G3T). The 5-year-old gelding has only run twice on the dirt, a fourth in his debut and another fourth in the 2023 Sham Stakes (G3).
Il Bellator will have Geovanni Franco aboard from post 6 for trainer Jose Bautista. The 6-year-old gelding is coming off a fifth in the April 20 American Stakes (G3T) and won the 2022 California Derby on synthetic at Golden Gate Fields. Two starts back he won at a mile on dirt in a March 28 Santa Anita allowance/optional claimer.
Trainer Craig Dollase has named Armando Ayuso on Midnight Mammoth from post 3. The 6-year-old gelding most recently posted a 5 1/2-length win at 1 1/16 miles in a Santa Anita allowance/optional claimer April 26 on a wet, sealed track. Midnight Mammoth won the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II Stakes at Del Mar July 25.
Arrowthegreat ran sixth in last year's Gold Cup, and his best stakes effort in three tries was a fourth in the 2023 Native Diver Stakes (G3). He has a win and a second in his last two starts, in allowance/optional claiming company. Tiago Pereira is set to ride from post 7.
Extensive, to be ridden by Flavien Prat from post 4, is making his stakes debut. Trained by Michael McCarthy, who also conditions Preakness (G1) winner Journalism, the 4-year-old colt has started four times—a third, a second, and back-to-back wins.
Santa Anita Park, Monday, May 26, 2025, Race 8Entries: Hollywood Gold Cup S. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 Tarantino (KY) Juan J. Hernandez 122 Peter Eurton - 2 Packs a Wahlop (KY) Reylu Gutierrez 122 John W. Sadler - 3 Midnight Mammoth (KY) Armando Ayuso 124 Craig Dollase - 4 Extensive (KY) Flavien Prat 122 Michael W. McCarthy - 5 Skippylongstocking (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 124 Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. - 6 Il Bellator (KY) Geovanni Franco 122 Jose Bautista - 7 Arrowthegreat (KY) Tiago Josue Pereira 122 Dan Blacker -
