Golden Victory for Mast Track
The Hollywood Gold Cup took place at Hollywood Park on Saturday, 28 June 2008. With Heatseeker being scratched on Friday, injured with a massively swollen ankle, many spectators turned their attention to Go Between to replace the race favorite. But as the field of nine horses stepped into the starting gates, it was felt that the Hollywood Gold Cup was anyone’s race. The contenders for the racing action included the following horses, in order of their gate positions: Mast Track, Perfect Drift, Tiago in number four (gate three left open due to Heatseekers scratching), Racketeer, Student Council, Go Between, McCann’s Mojave, Big Booster and Spice Route.
One of the most anticipated racing events of the day was the $750 000 Hollywood Gold Cup Grade 1 race. Another horse that was tipped to stand a good chance in winning was Tiago and as spectators made up their minds about who was to be their winning horse, hardly anyone took too much notice of the 10-1 contender, Mast Track. That would be their mistake of the day, as Mast Track held back a field of deserving contenders to win the Hollywood Gold Cup.
Bobby Frankel is not only the trainer of Mast Track, but the breeder and owner of this astonishing horse. Even though he was unable to be at Hollywood Park to watch his horse in action, he left strict instructions with his assistant trainer Humberto Ascanio, and jockey Tyler Baze rode Mast Track precisely as Frankel wanted it done. It seems as if Frankel had more than just faith in his horse. He had the confidence to know what Mast Track was capable of and the intimate knowledge of what his horse needed to take home his fifth victory off ten career starts.
Baze managed to get Mast Track in the lead at the start of the race and held their position to the end. Go Between did not pose too much of a threat in his second position, but opened up quite a big gap between himself and Student Council. The veteran, McCann’s Mojave finished in fourth position in the Hollywood Gold Cup, in his 35th career start, pushing his earnings total up to over $1.5 million.
Even though no mentioned has been made as to the next racing event that is being looked at for Mast Track, many hope that he will remain in California, so that fans and spectators can get to see more of this wonderful horse.
