Exotics Plays for the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes 2024

A big cast of 11 will travel 1 1/2 miles on the Del Mar green in Friday’s feature, the $200,000 Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G2). I’ll focus on a trio of runners in the especially well-matched field.

REILLY: Truly Quality seeks to continue ascent in Hollywood Turf Cup 

Hollywood Turf Cup Exotics

• $5 exacta box 4,8,11 ($30)
• $.50-cent trifecta 4,8,11 with 4,8,11 with all ($27)
• $.50-cent superfecta 4 with 8,11 with 8,11 with all ($8)

Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes Analysis at Del Mar

#4 Divin Propos, one of three in the group for standout conditioner Phil D’Amato, is 2-for-4 since arriving in the U. S. and I expect him to thrive at the 12-furlong trip in this spot. The George Vancouver gelding had a nice sophomore campaign in France and has flashed a lot of ability in the states this season, too. His strong allowance tally on the course two back going 1 3/8 miles tells me he will appreciate marathon distances going forward, and it also proved that he is comfortable on the Del Mar green. The consistently good bay could be forwardly placed to some extent with sharp turf rider Umberto Rispoli accepting the mount. 

#8 Nineeleventurbo got really good when stretching out to longer trips in 2023 and he will be ready to give his best effort on Friday for conditioner Neil Drysdale. The seven-year-old son of More Than Ready ran a pair of big ones on the course last summer, led by a fine second in the Del Mar H. (G2), and I’ll give him a pass for a few of his performances this season that have come at distances much shorter than his ideal distances. This Kentucky-bred gelding smoked a bullet five-eighths at this venue most recently and inherits the services of Antonio Fresu. 

Jonathan Thomas’ #11 Truly Quality is a neck shy from being unbeaten in his last four assignments, and he has won or placed in 11 of 12 starts in his career overall. By Quality Road, the Augustin homebred was a stylish winner of the Singspiel S. (G3) at Woodbine last time out where he earned a lifetime best 107 Brisnet Speed number. He comes in fresh for a very good layoff trainer, and the four-year-old has enough positional speed to avoid an horrific voyage while drawing widest of all in the tilt. Vincent Cheminaud comes in to guide the winning threat. 

I can’t find a lot of separation with the remaining contenders in the cast and will use the ‘all’ button in the lower rungs of the vertical exotics.