Game On Dude and rider Chantal Sutherland steal the show in the Hollywood Gold Cup
It was no other than, Game On Dude, who established himself as the winner in the Grade 1, $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at the Hollywood Betfair Park, which took place on 7th July, 2012, under rider Chantal Sutherland.
This victory over the distance of a 1 1/4 miles meant redemption for Bob Baffert’s charge, since he was a nose shy of the victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup last year, when he lost it to his stable-mate, First Dude.
Now, the five-year-old came back to the track with only one motive, and that was to win. He landed the victory by 1 ½ lengths in the closing stages of the race.
The Henry Moreno trained, Spud Spivens, shot out to the front, as he picked up the pace as soon as he broke free from the gates.
He maintained his lead for half-mile, which he completed in 47.71 seconds, but Game On Dude tracked him and caught up.
The two runners engaged in a rigorous duel, but Spud Spivens weakened and Richard’s Kid made the move. Richard’s Kid and Game On Dude were in contention for the closing stages of the race, but it was Game On Dude who prevailed.
The third place was secured by Kettle Corn, while Spud Spivens was driven to fourth.
The winning trainer commented:
“It looked like Richard’s Kid was going to come up to him, but he dug in there at the end. I’m glad they both ran their races and I’m happy for Chantal because I sort of got goose bumps when (track announcer Vic Stauffer) said she was trying to become
the first woman to win this. I hoped it wasn’t the kiss of death.’’
The Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Ernie Moody’s Mercedes Stable LLC and Bernie Schiappa owned runner claimed his eighth victory from eighteen starts in this event, with earnings of $2,644,658.
This victory was also particularly meaningful for the jockey Chantal Sutherland, who became the first woman to claim the Hollywood Gold Cup.
In 2011, she was the first female to ride in the Gold Cup, and proved that she can do just about anything.
Now, that the son of Awesome Again, foaled by mare Worldly Pleasure, has claimed this race, and he now holds an entry in the Breeders’ Cup Classic which will take place at Santa Anita Park on 3rd November, 2012.
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