Game on Dude works ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park
Bob Baffert trained 5-year-old gelding, Game on Dude, is the early favourite to win the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, and on 14 October, 2012, the atmosphere was heavy and serious at Santa Anita
Park, as all the heavyweight hopefuls for the 28th Word Championship events worked for their respective races.
Game on Dude on the other hand worked in company with, Blueskiesnrainbows, as the gelded son of Awesome Again breezed five furlongs under regular rider Rafael Bejarano in 59 3/5 seconds, while Blueskiesnrainbows clocked 1 minute and 2/5 seconds.
"He (Bejarano) said he felt like an airplane," trainer Bob Baffert said of Game On Dude's work. "This track right now is the best it's been since we've been here. I think the rain (three-quarters of an inch Oct. 12) really helped. The track has bounce to
it. I should have worked more horses today."
Owned by Bernard C. Schiappa in partnership with Diamond Pride, Lanni Family, and Trust Mercedes Stable, Game on Dude is coming off an easy victory in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita’s dirt course.
In the 1 1/8 mile event, Game on Dude defeated Nonios in second and Richard’s Kid in third with the winning time of 1 minute and 48.98 seconds.
Meanwhile,the Grade 1 John Henry Turf Championship winner, Slim Shadey is pointed toward the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and in preparation for the race, Simon Callaghan trained horse came out to work for the first time since his front running victory.
Slim Shadey breezed four furlongs in 49 4/5 seconds on the main track at Santa Anita.
"It was perfect," trainer Simon Callaghan said. "It was his first bit of work back since his race. We just wanted to go steady and it was perfect. He did it really well within himself and he galloped out nice. It was exactly what we needed. He'll do a more
serious bit of work next week."
Game on Dude ran second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, but will be eager to settle the score over his home track, where he is five-for-five.
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