Vekoma’s Forged Steel rules in historic Hollywood Gold Cup (G2)
May 26, 2026
Forged Steel shipped to California from his Florida base to win the $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) by an astounding 9 ½-lengths on Memorial Day at Santa Anita Park.
The victory marked the first stakes win of any type for the 4-year-old Vekoma colt, who had been stakes-placed on four earlier occasions.
Given his cue right from the break, Forged Steel made the lead in the first furlong, with Malarchuk providing pressure through the early stages. With a half-length lead after six furlongs in :46.73, Forged Steel began to inch clear of Malarchuk around the final bend, then put away the field with a big move at the top of the stretch. Coming home under a hand ride, he finished the 1 ¼-miles on a fast track in 2:01.58, earning a lifetime best Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“The horse ran a good race,” said jockey Flavien Prat of the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee. “It was my first time aboard him. He had a good run in his past races and he showed another good run here today.”
Forged Steel is campaigned by C2 Racing Stable, LLC and Mathis Stables, LLC and is now 5-3-3 in 18 starts with earnings of $416,130. The flashy gray was bred in Kentucky by Richard E. Wilson and sold to his owners for $190,000 at the 2024 OBS March 2-year-old sale.
Vekoma leads all Third-Crop sires with seven stakes winners this year. Vekoma stands this year for $100,000 S&N