Plenty of Chances to Shine in Gold Rush

The California Gold Rush, a day featuring California-breds and Hollywood Park’s answer to Oak Tree’s California Cup, has brought out the best in Spinelessjellyfish.

Spinelessjellyfish, a son of Skywalker owned by a partnership that includes breeder Cardiff Stud Farm and trained by Jenine Sahadi, is perfect in the Gold Rush, which will be run for the third time Sunday.

Spinelessjellyfish, a 6-year-old, won the $175,000 Khaled Stakes in a record 1:392/5 for the 11/16 miles on turf in 2000, then followed with another victory in the same race last year.

His victory in 1:403/5 12 months ago also provided regular jockey Chris McCarron with his 7,000th career victory.

Native Desert, a 9-year-old who defeated Spinelessjellyfish by a head in last fall’s California Cup Mile, will make his 64th start and will be trying for his sixth victory at Hollywood Park.

Native Desert was third in the Khaled in 2001.

McCarron, who won two other stakes on the Gold Rush card last year, has four other mounts Sunday. He has contender Super High in the $200,000 Melair Stakes, Lady Evergreen in the $70,000 Lakeview Thoroughbred Farms Stakes, Highly Suspect in the $250,000 Snow Chief Stakes and maiden Mada Moon in the 10th.

The Snow Chief, named in honor of the California-bred who was the champion 3-year-old of 1986 and a multiple-stakes winner for the partnership of Carl Grinstead and Ben Rochelle and trainer Mel Stute, is the day’s richest race and it drew a field of 12 3-year-olds.

If McCarron is to win the Snow Chief for a second consecutive year--he scored in 2001 with Romanceishope--he’ll do it with a longshot. Highly Suspect, a gelded son of High Brite, has only a maiden victory to his credit in six starts.

The best of the other entrants is Gobi Dan, who will carry a top weight of 117 pounds and will break from the rail under Delahoussaye. A son of Huckster purchased for $4,000 last May at Barretts, he has won three of nine starts for trainer Pat Gallagher.

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Eurolink Raindance, the second longest shot in the field of five at 9-1, outfinished favored Crazy Ensign by a head and won the $106,600 Wilshire Handicap in the first Friday night card at Hollywood Park.

Giving McCarron his sixth victory in the race, more than any other rider, the 5-year-old Alzao mare covered the mile on turf in 1:341/5.

Eurolink Raindance, trained by Ben Cecil for the Bull Market Stable, has won two in a row after losing 18 of her first 20 starts.

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Jockey Michael Kinane will not be aboard Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Johannesburg in the Kentucky Derby after his suspension for “irresponsible riding” during a recent race at Newmarket was upheld Friday in London.