Midnight Mammoth points to Hollywood Gold Cup as next start

ARCADIA, Calif. - In his 35th start at Santa Anita on Saturday, Midnight Mammoth won for the eighth time in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles, recording a 6-1 upset.

The surprise victory is likely to lead to an appearance in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 26. With a purse of $200,000, the Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles is the leading dirt race of the Santa Anita spring meeting.

“That’s the plan,” trainer Craig Dollase said on Sunday.

Dollase said he was encouraged that Midnight Mammoth stalked Eagles Flight to the turn before taking command.

“He was able to rate,” Dollase said. “He showed he can rate and finish.”

For Midnight Mammoth, the Gold Cup is a chance for a second stakes win, 10 months after his victory at 9-1 in the Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on dirt at Del Mar.

After the Gold Cup, a race such as the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 26 may be considered.

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“He can go shorter,” owner Jeffrey Sengara said. “That’s an option. We know he can hold his own.”

The $300,000 San Diego Handicap is a prep race for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, a $1 million race at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar on Aug. 30. Last summer, Midnight Mammoth was being prepared for the Pacific Classic when he was taken out of training days before the race after an injury was detected. He resumed racing in January.

The win on Saturday ended a four-race losing streak since the Cougar II that included a last-place finish in the Grade 3 San Luis Rey Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf on March 22, when Midnight Mammoth raced in traffic. He emerged with a cut on a leg, Dollase said.

“He had a valid excuse,” Dollase said. “He redeemed himself” on Saturday.

Midnight Mammoth was claimed for $50,000 by Sengara and Dollase in March 2023, and has since earned $266,380.

On Saturday, Midnight Mammoth was expected to be a supporting player in a four-horse field that included Eagles Flight, a half-brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline and the 2-5 favorite. Eagles Flight faded through the stretch to finish a well-beaten third while Midnight Mammoth won by 5 1/2 lengths.

Eagles Flight, a winner of 2 of 4 starts, was beaten 8 1/4 lengths, a loss that left trainer John Sadler puzzled.

“It’s a head scratcher,” Sadler said on Sunday. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll go back to the drawing board.”

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