By Ken Peters
Associated Press
Sunday, June 27, 1999; 7:05 p.m. EDT

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Real Quiet, the 4-year-old colt that just missed winning the Triple Crown last year, found running room on the rail and edged ahead in the final strides Sunday to win the $1 million Hollywood Gold Cup.

Ridden for the first time by Jerry Bailey, the Bob Baffert-trained Real Quiet finished a half-length in front of Budroyale, who edged Malek by a neck.

Puerto Madero was fourth and last in the smallest Gold Cup field in the race's 60-year history.

Despite the thin field, Real Quiet was boxed in early in the stretch before Bailey took the 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion to the inside.

Real Quiet caught Budroyale and Malek beyond mid stretch and just barely overtook them.

All four carried 124 pounds, and Real Quiet was clocked in 1:59 3-5 for 1 1/4 miles.

Sent off at 4-5, Real Quiet paid $3.80 and $2.40. Budroyale, ridden by Garrett Gomez, paid $3.80.

There was no show wagering because of the small field.

Real Quiet was coming off a disappointing third-place finish in the May 29 Massachusetts Handicap, won by Behrens.

Although Real Quiet missed winning the 1998 Triple Crown by finishing second to Victory Gallop in the Belmont, Real Quiet has had a spotty career.

The Hollywood Gold Cup was just the colt's sixth victory in 20 career starts.

Real Quiet earned $600,000, while Budroyale, a career claimer, earned $200,000 and Malek $120,000. Even Puerto Madero earned $60,000 just for finishing.

Budroyale, raced in 16 claiming races and claimed three times, was bought by Jeffrey Sengara for $50,000 in February 1998 at Santa Anita. The 6-year-old already has won $892,150 for his new owner.

Bailey took over the mount for Gary Stevens, who is riding in Europe.