Up the Backstretch: Game On Dude goes for glory
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Ron Clarke of Australia is known as one of the greatest long distance runners in history. However, he never won Olympic gold.
I was thinking about Clarke as the Breeders’ Cup post positions were being drawn as his history relates to Game On Dude and the 6-year-old gelding’s lack of a Breeders’ Cup victory.
Game On Dude will be making his third consecutive start on Saturday in the $5 million Classic in an effort to finally record the biggest win, not only in his career, but in the career of any thoroughbred.
The horse has won a lot of big races in his career. This year alone he captured the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic.
But, he came up short the last two Classics and while he’s destined for the Hall of Fame, the absence of a Breeders’ Cup Classic will be a hole in his resume.
Trainer Bob Baffert, who also is looking for a Classic victory for the first time, has the gelding primed for the race. Game On Dude comes into this year’s 1 1/4-mile race undefeated since finishing seventh as the 13-10 favorite last year to Fort Larned.
“Last year, just did go awry but I think he’s a different horse than he was last year,” Baffert said recently. “I think he’s doing much better. He’s really run some outstanding races and he doesn’t show me any signs of tailing off or anything like that.”
The gelding is the favorite for the second straight Classic getting a morning- line of 8-5 in the 12-horse field. Last year he opened as the 9-5 top pick just one year after finishing second to fellow 14-1 longshot Drosselmeyer.
A dozen thoroughbreds will start the Classic Saturday evening. Game On Dude, with Mike Smith back in the gelding’s saddle, will break from post 9, a very desirable position.
“I think the break is going to be very important, very crucial and how he gets away,” Baffert noted, “but he’s a different horse than he was last year and Mike Smith knows him really well and he knows what he needs to do so all I can do is prepare him, have him ready and tell Mike – give him the keys to the car and get him around there as quick as you can.”
Apparently, maturity is an important part of being a racehorse. Baffert has the belief that Game On Dude is not only more mature physically, but also mentally.
“I think mentally he’s settled down a lot. He’s really mellowed out. He used to be really rank. In the morning when he’d work, he’d be a little rank and he’s not that way anymore. He doesn’t get rank in a race, you know? I think he’s a much more relaxed horse. He’s healthy. He’s carrying more weight than he usually does. His races haven’t been really, really hard on him. He’s here in California so I think that has a lot of to do with it. Like last year, he ran great in the prep last year; he ran really fast and sometimes he needs a little extra time. I think maybe extra time really helps this horse and feel I’m in a good spot. I feel good about it.”
Game On Dude is the horse to beat in the Classic. He can set the pace or sit just off the leaders. Victory will come over an excellent field that includes defending winner Fort Larned, Mucho Macho Man and another Baffert horse Paynter.
Of course, being a gelding, Game On Dude will probably return to the Breeders’ Cup, win or lose.
Categorized in: Horses