Game on Dude powers home to win the Awesome Again Stakes
29 September was a good day for trained Bob Baffert, who saddled three grade 1 winners, and most importantly saw, Game on Dude maintained his unbeaten record at Santa Anita Park by claiming the Grade 1, $250,000 Awesome Again Stakes by defeating, Nonios, in the 1 1/8 mile dirt race.
Executiveprivilege downed the Chandler Stakes, and late in the day Power Broker did not disappoint as he romped to win the FrontRunner Stakes.
Baffert said after a successful day that he was glad Power Broker showed what he is made of, and that he was expecting all of them to show their stuff as they were coming in their respective races really well.
Bob Baffert did make a certain changes, as he brought in jockey Rafael Bejarano in place of Chantal Sutherland, and the dark bay gelding showed that he liked the change with a dominating victory over the track he loves.
"This horse is just getting better and better, and when he gets on dirt, he's a different horse," Baffert said. "(Rafael) rides a lot of favorites, and sometimes it's not going to work, but he handles the pressure really well. When you're 1 to 5, he knows just keep him out of trouble and let them run their race. If they win, they win. If they get beat, give them a chance."
The Awesome Again 5-year-old gelding was coming off a second place defeat in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic to Dullahan. It was a major disappointment, especially when he was on a roll, landing the Grade 2 Californian Stakes and then the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Game on Dude secured an early berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic by winning the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 7, and previously known as the Goodwood Stakes, Awesome Again Stakes was also a “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Game on Dude will be the one to beat in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, especially when the race is taking place on a track where he is 5 up in as many starts, the Santa Anita Park.
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