1999 Hollywood Gold Cup

With an eighth of a mile to run in Sunday’s $1-million Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park, Mike Pegram--the owner of 9-10 favorite Real Quiet--was hardly a fan of jockey Jerry Bailey.

“I wasn’t a happy camper,” said Pegram, questioning the riding tactics of Bailey at that point.

Proving again that horses can have troubled trips no matter the size of the field--in this instance four horses--Real Quiet lacked room along the inside entering the stretch, then was blocked again while trying to rally.

But room finally developed when Bailey, one of the world’s best jockeys, moved back to the rail and Real Quiet got up to beat Budroyale, the longest shot at nearly 8-1, by a half-length in 1:59 3/5 for the 1 1/4 miles.

This made trainer Bob Baffert a winner with his first starter in the Gold Cup and left Real Quiet, who needed every bit of the 10 furlongs to win for the sixth time in 20 starts, unbeaten in four tries at the distance. The $600,000 winner’s share pushed his career earnings to $3,271,803.

Of course, it also left Pegram feeling differently about Bailey, who rode Real Quiet--the 1998 Kentucky Derby winner--for the first time Sunday after Gary Stevens decided not to return from England for the race.

“Jerry had a lot more patience than I did today,” Pegram said. “This horse will always be No. 1 in my heart. He’s a nice horse and I think he’s proving it.”

While Malek, the 8-5 second choice, and Budroyale, the $50,000 claimer who has earned more than $892,000 for owner Jeffrey Sengara, set a moderate pace, Real Quiet was pinned inside. This dilemma was created by Puerto Madero, who was ridden by Real Quiet’s former jockey, Kent Desormeaux, who lost the mount after the colt was second as the 1-2 favorite in the New Orleans Handicap in his first start of 1999.

Figuring Puerto Madero would fall out of contention around the quarter pole--which turned out to be the case--Bailey didn’t panic. In the end, although it hadn’t been as easy as it was with Sultry Song, Cigar or Skip Away, the Hall of Fame rider had his second Gold Cup victory in a row and fourth since 1992.