Game on Dude all set for his seasonal debut in the San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita
There is a lot to prove this year for trainer Bob Baffert, who missed the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic by a whisker to Drosselmeyer, when he ran his gamer, Game on Dude, against a formidable lineup at Churchill Downs on 5 November, 2011.
If only lady luck had smiled on Baffert kindly in the year gone by, things would’ve been different, but his string is as strong as anyone, who claims the same in the North American racing scene, and Game on Dude is a promising 5-year-old, who spurs up a pleasant surprise every now and then for the veteran conditioner.
Last year, Game on Dude kicked off things with a win in an allowance race at Santa Anita Park over at 1 1/16 miles, leading up to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, which the Awesome Again gelding downed with a gritty nose win over Setsuko.
It was a tough season for Game on Dude last year, but he came out good in the end, and based on that platform, Bob Baffert is taking away the privileges of a warm up like last year, away from the Kentucky bred gelding.
No allowance races, and straight to graded company for Game on Dude, as he kicks his seasonal debut off in the Grade 2, $200,000 San Antonio Stakes at about 1 1/8 miles over at Santa Anita’s dirt course on 5 February, 2012, against 4-year-old and above males.
The race itself is a major stepping stone towards the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap, and a repeat in it would be so much pleasing for Bob Baffert and his reliable gelding, Game on Dude.
Though last year after winning the Santa Anita Handicap, Game on Dude went on a 4 race losing streak, he placed himself in three of those with a lone 4th place finish, and finally snapped the streak in the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita, a venue where he is a perfect 3 in as many starts.
Out of Worldly Pleasure by Devil His Due, Game on Dude worked six furlongs in company with, Tweebster, and he nailed it by covering the distance in 1 minute and 11 seconds flat.
His drill was the fastest of 26 at the same distance, and he can do justice to his brilliant workouts since the Breeders’ Cup by bringing home the $200,000 San Antonio Stakes.
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