Hollywood Park prepares for busy end to spring-summer meeting

It’s going to be a busy final three weeks of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting, with major stakes races each weekend, starting Saturday with two Grade I stakes, the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile on the turf and the $250,000 Triple Bend Handicap at seven furlongs.

Next Saturday, July 9, is the $500,000 Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup, followed by the $250,000 Grade I American Oaks Handicap on July 16.

One obstacle to the final weekend on July 16-17 is that it takes place when a 10-mile stretch of the 405 freeway will be closed between the 10 freeway and the Sepulveda Pass.

The Shoemaker Mile is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, guaranteeing the winner a spot in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs.

It’s an opportunity for Caracortado to come up with a breakthrough victory. The 4-year-old gelding has been coming close against good competition on the turf while earning $558,105.

The probable favorite will be East Coast invader Courageous Cat, a 5-year-old who finished second to Goldikova in the 2009 BC Mile at Santa Anita.

The Triple Bend brings together an elite group of sprinters. Five-time graded stakes winner Smiling Tiger has been training well and is two for two at Hollywood Park.

Camp Victory, Amazombie, M One Rifle and Bench Points should be the prime challengers.

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