Gentlemen runs away to Gold

Monday, June 30, 1997 | 11:06 a.m.

Gentlemen looked the part Sunday, overtaking favored Siphon at the top of the stretch in winning the $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths in a powerful performance.

Under Stevens, who recorded his third Gold Cup victory, Gentlemen covered 1 1/4 miles on Hollywood Park's main track in 1:59 1-5 -- one second off the stakes record set by Quack in 1972 -- and paid $5.20, $2.60 and $2.10.

"You ride very few horses throughout your career that you can have the kind of confidence in that I have in this horse," Stevens said. "From the 5-16ths pole home, I knew we were going to win, unless something totally out of the ordinary happened and somebody came flying.

"This horse, he's incredible. He put in another great effort here today."

The win was the seventh in the last eight races for Gentlemen, who was coming off a half-length victory over Skip Away in the Pimlico Special on May 10.

The only loss for Gentlemen in those eight races dating back 11 months was in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 2, when he finished third, behind Siphon and Sandpit.

Siphon led all the way in winning that race by three lengths. It was the only time previously that Siphon and Gentlemen ran against each other.

A 5-year-old Argentine-bred son of Robin des Bois, Gentlemen has won 11 of his 15 lifetime starts. The $600,000 winner's share raised his career earnings to $1,883,598.

Siphon, the 13-10 favorite ridden by David Flores, crossed the finish line four lengths in front of Sandpit and returned $2.60 and $2.10. Second place was worth $200,000, raising Siphon's career earnings to $2,773,619.

Sandpit, ridden by Corey Nakatani, was 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Marlin at the wire and paid $2.20 to show. Third place was worth $120,000, raising Sandpit's career earnings to $3,452,301.

HORSE RACING