The Cash Call, like the $750,000 American Oaks, will be by invitation. The American Oaks, which Panza started three years ago, has already become a highlight on California's racing schedule. It was won this year by Cesario, the first Japanese-bred to gain a grade I victory in this country. Reddam currently campaigns Wilko, winner of the 2004 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile, (gr. I), and also owned grade I winner Elloluv.
Hollywood Park announced Friday that it will be adding a lucrative race for fillies and mares three and up to go along with the American Oaks (gr. I) in July, building a big weekend of races at the Inglewood, Calif. racetrack. The Cash Call Mile (gr. IIIT), formerly the Royal Heroine, will be run July 1, 2006, the day before the American Oaks. Thoroughbred owner J. Paul Reddam, who owns Cash Call, a money-lending firm, brought the idea to Hollywood Park with an offer to raise the Royal Heroine's $200,000 purse to $750,000. The track agreed to a three-year deal for the Cash Call. "This is a great opportunity for Hollywood Park when an owner wants to sponsor a race of this magnitude," said Hollywood Park racing secretary Martin Panza. "This race fits into our schedule, which has some prep races in May and June, and we are hoping to make it an international event. The purse money is better than anything in Europe, and the timing is right for the Japanese as well. Plus, if you're traveling with a 3-year-old filly for the Oaks, you can bring an older filly or mare along as well."
