Hollywood Park ready for 75th anniversary season

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Inglewood, CA (Sports Network) - Hollywood Park begins its 75th anniversary season on Thursday, April 25 with a schedule of stakes that totals more than $6.8 million. The 2013 spring/summer meeting extends through Sunday, July 14.

The premier event of the season will be the 74th running of the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday, July 6. The 1 1/4-mile race is for older thoroughbreds and was won last year by Game On Dude.

"Once again, the Hollywood Gold Cup and the American Oaks are the highlights of the season," said Martin Panza, Hollywood Park's racing secretary and vice president-racing. "The meet should get off to a good start with the well- received Golden State series continuing on California Gold Rush Day (April 27)."

The American Oaks is an invitational turf race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/4-miles on Saturday, July 13. Lady of Shamrock won the 2012 edition.

Another race taken by Game On Dude last year was the Californian. The $150,000 stakes will be conducted on Saturday, June 1 at 1 1/8-miles.

Leading turf runners will be on display at Hollywood Park in the Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap. The 1 1/4-mile race has a purse of $200,000 and will be run Saturday, June 8.