Contact Information:
Bob Roberts (216-662-8600)
July 2, 2009
www.thistledown.com
Hurley's Way Is Earlybird Favorite For Saturday's Cleveland Gold Cup
Double M Foster Stable's west coast invader Hurley's Way, beaten in a photo-finish in the May 30th Green Carpet Handicap at River Downs, is the 5-2 morning line favorite to win Saturday's $100,000 Cleveland Gold Cup at Thistledown.
Trained by William Cowans, who took the colt's conditioning from Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert who had him for seven starts in California, Hurley's Way drew the No. 3 post for the Gold Cup. He'll be ridden by Rodney Prescott.
A son of Siphon, Hurley's Way will be running on dirt for the first time in his career. His first seven outings came over the artificial surfaces of Del Mar, Hollywood Park and Santa Anita, and his stakes debut effort was over River Downs' turf course.
Hurley's Way, while he broke his maiden at the $32,000 claiming level at Santa Anita in March, did finish fourth to California Derby winner Chocolate Candy in a maiden special weight race last fall at Santa Anita.
Lazy Eye Farm's Gordon is the Gold Cup's 4-1 morning line second choice. Off back-to-back allowance scores, the Gold Cup will be his stakes debut.
Laurie Hickman's Halmi, winner of the Green Carpet, is third choice at 9-2, while Ohio's 2008 juvenile colt champion Raise the Reward is next at 5-1, followed by Brother Terry (6-1), winner of three consecutive Ohio stakes races.
Bold Captain and Rush To Dinner, Pyrite Stables' stablemates, are also at 6-1. Ziada's Gold (12-1) completes the field.
The Gold Cup will be the 10th race on Thistledown's Fourth of July card.