Betfair Hollywood Park, Race 9, 8:10 pm ET
The G1 Hollywood Gold Cup, Three-and-Up, 1 and 1/4 Miles, Cushion Track

The final Gold Cup ever run at Hollywood Park will have a fittingly big-name runner in Game On Dude, who won the race last year and has a lot going for him as he attempts a repeat victory. For starters, in his last three races over this surface, he has earned speed figures of 131, 126, and 131, numbers none of his opponents seems capable of matching. In addition, as indicated by the pace projector, he seems quite likely to be alone on the early lead today. His trainer, Bob Baffert, has excellent trainer ratings at Hollywood Park, in stakes races, and off breaks of similar length to the one Game On Dude is entering off today. In short, Game On Dude will be very tough to beat.

Clubhouse Ride is the most obvious candidate to complete the exacta. However, the odds on this combination are going to be meager, and Clubhouse Ride seems likely to try to make a relatively early run at Game On Dude, which could set things up for Kettle Corn to snatch second with a late run from the back of the pack.