Game On Dude pulls off in record Pacific Classic romp

Game On Dude was never challenged en route to a record-setting win in the Pacific Classic (Benoit Photos)

Game On Dude competed in the past two editions of the Grade 1, $1,001,750

Pacific Classic — finishing fourth in 2011 and just missing by a
half-length last year — but third time became the charm as the six-year-old
gelding turned Sunday’s 23rd running at Del Mar into a walkover under stand-in jockey Martin Garcia.

The duo drew off in the stretch of the 1 1/4-mile Polytrack affair to be 8
1/2 lengths clear on the wire, a record winning margin that eclipsed the
previous mark of 5 1/2 lengths set by Skimming when he captured his second
straight Pacific Classic in 2001.

“It was fun out
there,” Garcia said. “He broke really good and got clear. When the other horses went outside I
stayed inside. I didn’t have to ask him for anything special coming home. He’s a
professional. He’s knows where he’s supposed to go.”

Joel Rosario was scheduled to be holding the reins on Game On Dude after
regular rider Mike Smith opted to stay aboard dual champion Royal Delta for the
Personal Ensign at Saratoga earlier on the day. However, Rosario was sidelined
with a broken foot on Friday after being unseated from his mount at the
conclusion of the 7TH race at Saratoga.

Despite working Game On Dude in the mornings, Sunday was the first time Martin Garcia piloted the gelding in a race since May 2011 (Benoit Photos)

“He ran just like
he’s been training,” trainer Bob Baffert remarked. “He looked terrific out there. When I saw him make the lead
on the first turn I knew it was all over. Martin will finally get paid for
working him.”

Despite being stuck in the 11 post in the 13-horse field, Game On Dude moved
over to the rail and grabbed the lead not long after the gates opened.
Delegation, who was to his inside, took a bit longer to angle in but had
established his running space just off Game On Dude’s flank entering the first
turn.

Those positions never changed as Game On Dude set fractions of :24, :47 4/5
and 1:12 3/5 on the backstretch. The rest of the field began putting in their
rallies as the Awesome Again gelding passed the mile mark in 1:36 3/5, but not a
one could threaten the runaway leader. Game On Dude opened up in the lane and
pulled away to stop the clock in 2:00 3/5 as the 8-5 favorite. He returned
$5.40, $3.80 and $3.20.

By taking the Pacific Classic on Sunday, Game On Dude became only the second
horse, following Lava Man in 2006, to sweep the Southern California Triple of
the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic in one season.

Well-back of the winner, a four-horse blanket finish was sorted out to show
Kettle Corn in second, a nose up on fellow John Sadler trainee You Know I Know.

Joe Torre (left) and Bernie Schiappa (right) led their star runner into the Del Mar winner’s circle (Benoit Photos)

“I’m so
pleased. This was a wonderful race for this horse,” remarked Edwin Maldonado,
who was aboard You Know I Know. “Going into that first turn I
could see they were going awful slow, so I started working my way up; going
through the cracks. He came running at the end; really well. So good for (trainer) John
(Sadler). We ran second and third.”

“We were thrilled with the way our horses ran,” Sadler stated. “Kettle Corn ran a really big race
to get second and You Know I Know ran a tremendous third, the race of his life.
So we’re very, very happy. We wish there had been some pace in front of them but
it just wasn’t there. The other speed horses just didn’t go.”

Richard’s Kid was another nose back in
fourth while Holding Glory just missed the superfecta by a head.
Delegation round up sixth on the wire, and was followed under the line by the
filly Byrama, defending champion Dullahan, Jeranimo, Endorsement, Farraaj and
Blueskiesnrainbows. Game On Dude’s stablemate Liaison was scratched.

“No troubles on my
trip. I just ran out of horse at the half-mile (pole),” Rafael Bejarano said
philosophically about Dullahan’s eighth-place finish.

Having finally conquered the Pacific Classic, Game On Dude now has his sights set on the BC Classic (Benoit Photos)

After taking the 2010 Lone Star Derby, Game On Dude showed up in New York for
a try in the Belmont Stakes. The dark bay reputed himself well, tracking the
pace before winding up a close fourth on the wire in what would be his final
start as a sophomore.

Game On Dude’s first major win came the following spring in the Santa Anita
Handicap. He went on to add the Goodwood to his resume and finished second in
the Breeders’ Cup Classic that fall to a familiar rival — 2010 Belmont Stakes
winner Drosselmeyer.

Last year, Game On Dude posted five graded stakes tallies, including a 1
1/2-length victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup and a 3 1/4-length score in the
Awesome Again. However, he suffered his worse finish since a subpar run in the
Dubai World Cup earlier in the season when seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Since that uncharacteristic performance, Game On Dude has rebounded to record
consecutive victories in the Native Diver, San Antonio, Santa Anita Handicap,
Charles Town Classic and Hollywood Gold Cup.