Hollywood Gold Cup Next for Southern Image

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Trainer Mike Machowsky said Friday that Southern Image will probably make his next start in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) on July 10 at Hollywood Park following the 4-year-old colt's runner-up finish in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).

"That's our plan," said Machowsky from his base at Santa Anita. "He came back Sunday night and has been on the track jogging this week. He would probably work twice before the Gold Cup."

Southern Image had strung together four straight stakes victories, including the Santa Anita Handicap and Pimlico Special (both gr. I), before losing by a nose to longshot Colonial Colony in the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster June 12 at Churchill Downs. The Florida-bred son of Halo's Image seeks to become the first horse since another Florida bred, Affirmed, to win the Big 'Cap and Gold Cup in the same year.

Other than Affirmed in 1979, the only horses to win both races in the same year were Kayak II in 1939, Noor in 1950, Ack Ack in 1971 and Crystal Water in 1977.

"That would be a feat," said Machowsky.

Southern Image has won six of eight starts and earned $1,843,750.

Yessirgeneralsir, winner of the Lone Star Handicap (gr. III) on May 31, is scheduled to be flown to California from Texas Monday for trainer Dallas Keen.