Gold Cup Adds Incentive for Cigar, Concern

The purse for the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 2 will be increased to $1 million if both Cigar and Concern run in it.

After Concern’s impressive victory in the Californian on June 11, owner Robert Meyerhoff and trainer Richard Small indicated that the colt would return for the Gold Cup.

However, after Cigar had run his winning streak to eight in the Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs on June 3, trainer Bill Mott said the country’s top handicap horse wouldn’t race again until the $350,000 Whitney Handicap on Aug. 5 at Saratoga.

Hollywood Park management has been trying to lure Cigar west for the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup and it is believed owner Allen Paulson, a former member of the Hollywood Park board of directors, is willing.

If only one or neither of the two horses runs in the Gold Cup, the purse will remain $750,000.

Hollywood Park Notes

Gary Stevens, who injured his right foot in a starting-gate mishap on Sunday, will be back in action Thursday. The jockey, who Sunday thought he probably wouldn’t ride today, Thursday or Friday, said things went well in a visit with Dr. James Tibone on Monday and that he could have ridden today. Agent Ron Anderson wanted him to rest another day, however, and took him off his five mounts. Stevens was hurt when his mount, Wild Carol, acted up in the starting gate before Sunday’s second race.