Chicago Style goes last to first in Del Mar's Hollywood Turf Cup
Second a year ago, Chicago Style rallied from last to win his first stakes in Friday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar. The 5-year-old Kitten’s Joy gelding and jockey Drayden Van Dyke survived an objection from their stretch drive to take home the win.
Chicago Style was winding up on the outside heading into the stretch while Grade 1 winner Bigger Picture was able to save ground closer to the rail. The two were noses apart when Chicago Style edged forward, winning the race he lost by a neck last year.
The final time for the 1 ½ miles was 2:28.53.
"He’s a straightforward horse," Van Dyke said. "You ask him and he gives. When it came time, I tipped him out and he went. It’s sure fun to ride ones like him."
Phil D’Amato, the trainer of Ya Gotta Wanna, lodged an objection against the winner after Ya Gotta Wanna was checked in the homestretch and finished off the board. The stewards unanimously ruled no change as they decided Ashleyluvessugar, Markie’s Water and Chicago Style all contributed to the incident.
In the Hollywood Turf Cup, Van Dyke let Ashleyluvssugar set the fractions up front for the marathon in 24.51, 50.65, 1:16.25 and 1:41.79 through the first mile. Marckie's Water, Bigger Picture, Ya Gotta Wanna, Can'thelpbelieving and Beach View followed while Chicago Style took up the rear.
Can'thelpbelieving moved early in the final turn as the fractions sped up. Ashleyluvssugar couldn't keep the tempo and began to fade. Van Dyke took Chicago Style to the outside and Bigger Picture, looking for his first win since January, proved to be his only competition.
In this year's Hollywood Turf Cup, though, Chicago Style earned the victory by a neck. Bigger Picture finished second ahead of Beach View, Marckie’s Water, Ashleyluvssugar, Ya Gotta Wanna and Can'thelpbelieving.
It was the third straight graded stakes in which Bigger Picture finished on the board.
"He ran dynamite," jockey Mike Smith said. "He ran too good to lose."