Tags ‘Game on Dude’

Hall of Fame: 2023 finalists include four new horses, two new trainers

DRF | 1 year ago
First-time eligible Thoroughbred champions Arrogate, California Chrome, Lady Eli, and Songbird are among six new names that will appear on the ballot for the first time for possible election into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was a... Read More...

Hall of Fame: 2023 finalists include four new horses, two new trainers

DRF | 1 year ago
First-time eligible Thoroughbred champions Arrogate, California Chrome, Lady Eli, and Songbird are among six new names that will appear on the ballot for the first time for possible election into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was a... Read More...

Not your father’s Big Cap prep

DRF | 7 years ago
A second-level allowance Friday at Santa Anita is an unlikely prep to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap for class handicappers that adhere to tradition. Read More...

Sutherland targets December return to riding

DRF | 8 years ago
Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who has not ridden since July 2014, is planning a comeback in December. Read More...

Baffert, Schiappa visit Game On Dude, Silver Charm at Old Friends

DRF | 9 years ago
Trainer Bob Baffert and owner Bernie Schiappa made a visit on Tuesday to Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Ky., about an hour from Churchill Downs, to visit some old friends, Silver Charm and Game On Dude. Read More...

Old Friends to establish site at Kentucky Downs

DRF | 9 years ago
Old Friends Equine Retirement has announced a partnership with Kentucky Downs to establish a satellite facility at the Franklin, Ky., racetrack. Read More...

Game On Dude to reside at Old Friends

DRF | 9 years ago
Game On Dude, recently retired after a stellar career that included an unprecedented three victories in the Santa Anita Handicap, will spend his retirement at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Ky., the horse’s co-owner, Bernie Schiappa, said Friday. Read More...

Game On Dude retired from racing

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude, a top older horse in recent years and the only horse to win three runnings of the Santa Anita Handicap, was retired Thursday after three consecutive losses, trainer Bob Baffert said. Read More...

Smith sticks with Shared Belief in Pacific Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
On Sunday, Mike Smith will be on Shared Belief, who is the morning-line favorite for the Pacific Classic even though he will be racing at Del Mar for the first time, is going 1 1/4 miles for the first time, and is going up against the best group he’s ever faced. Read More...

Game On Dude has sharp work for Pacific Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude ran one of the best races of his career when capturing last year’s Pacific Classic, and though he’s won just once in six starts since then, he is giving every indication that he will be a formidable presence when he defends his title Sunday in the 24th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Read More...

Smith to ride Shared Belief in Pacific Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
Mike Smith has chosen to ride Shared Belief rather than Game On Dude in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 24. Read More...

‘He Lied Like Nobody’s Business’: A Racing Con Man and His Trail of Deception

Five months ago, Jonathan Pippin was living large. A small-time Ohio grifter who had convinced a handful of Twitter followers to invest in horses he didn’t own, Pippin had been working for months at... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] Read More...

Game On Dude eyes repeat in Pacific Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude is likely to be part of a crowded field when he attempts to win the $1 million Pacific Classic for the second consecutive year Aug. 24. Read More...

Game On Dude seeks Gold Cup score at new venue

DRF | 10 years ago
Dismiss his failures in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in recent years, and Game On Dude’s career achievements stand out as those of a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Read More...

Clubhouse Ride tries to break through against Game On Dude in Gold Cup

DRF | 10 years ago
When Clubhouse Ride faces Game On Dude in Saturday’s $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, the two veterans will meet for the fifth time in the last 16 months. The score so far: Game On Dude 4, Clubhouse Ride 0. Read More...

Hovdey: At age 7, it’s a roll of the dice

DRF | 10 years ago
It’s not easy being a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding accustomed to playing at the top of the ticket. Never mind the racing – the training alone can take its toll. That is why it is such a joy to watch old pros like Game On Dude still in action. Read More...

South Americans spice up Gold Cup at Santa Anita

DRF | 10 years ago
While Game On Dude will be favored to win the June 28 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, the field will include the Chilean import Salto del Indio and possibly Lideris from Peru. Read More...

Game On Dude sharpens for Gold Cup

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude, who won the final two runnings of the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park, in 2012 and 2013, worked six furlongs in 1:13.20 on Wednesday in preparation for the first Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28. Read More...

Game On Dude tunes up for Gold Cup

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude moved closer to a start in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 29 with a five-furlong workout in 1:00.60 at Santa Anita on Thursday. Read More...

Imperative outguns Game On Dude in Charles Town Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
Imperative, ridden by Hall of Famer Kent Desormeaux, ran by Game On Dude in the final furlong to win Saturday night’s $1.5 million Charles Town Classic by 1 1/2 lengths. Read More...

Game On Dude better equipped for Charles Town Classic repeat

DRF | 10 years ago
On Saturday, when Game On Dude runs in the Charles Town Classic for the third time, he will have regular shoes as he attempts to become not only a repeat winner of this lucrative race but just the 15th Thoroughbred – and the first gelding – to surpass the $7 million mark in earnings. Read More...

Game On Dude faces six challengers in Charles Town Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
After claiming his third straight victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last month, Game On Dude will go for his second straight success in the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic on Saturday night, when he takes on six rivals in the $1.5 million race run at 1 1/8 miles around three turns. Read More...

Dick Jerardi: Charles Town Classic soars to high stature

DRF | 10 years ago
Two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, when all the major Derby preps are done, is perfect timing to get some attention for your race and your race track. And Charles Town management has certainly done that with a huge purse and what promises to be a great card of racing culminating with Game On Dude trying to defend his title in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic. Read More...

Game On Dude flies in six-furlong work

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude worked six furlongs in 1:11 at Santa Anita on Sunday, his final major exercise before the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on Saturday. Read More...

Game On Dude flies in work

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude worked six furlongs in 1:11 at Santa Anita on Sunday, his final major exercise before the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on Saturday. Read More...

Game On Dude flies in six-furlong work

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude worked six furlongs in 1:11 at Santa Anita on Sunday, his final major exercise before the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on Saturday. Read More...

Dick Jerardi: Charles Town Classic stacking up to be a good showdown

DRF | 10 years ago
The $1.5 million Charles Town Classic on April 19 is coming up fast. And there are going to be some really fast horses in the gate, making for one of the best fields of older horses assembled in 2014. Read More...

Dick Jerardi: Charles Town Classic stacking up to be a good showdown

DRF | 10 years ago
The $1.5 million Charles Town Classic on April 19 is coming up fast. And there are going to be some really fast horses in the gate, making for one of the best fields of older horses assembled in 2014. Read More...

Santa Anita: Game On Dude tunes up for Charles Town Classic

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude is on schedule for a start in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on April 19 after working six furlongs in 1:13 at Santa Anita on Sunday. Read More...

Santa Anita: Game On Dude, Bayern, The Admiral work for Baffert

DRF | 10 years ago
Three of Bob Baffert's stakes horses worked Wednesday. Game On Dude worked for the Charles Town Classic and 3-year-olds Bayern and The Admiral worked for upcoming Kentucky Derby preps. Read More...

Game on Dude First Three-Time Winner of the Big ‘Cap

Michael Compton | 10 years ago
Game on Dude became the first three-time champion of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita on March 8 with a sparkling win over Will Take Charge. Game On Dude snapped a three-race skid with his victory against seven rivals, including Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge, the one-two finishers over the track [...](Read more...) Read More...

Santa Anita: Game On Dude shows he’s still got game in Big Cap

DRF | 10 years ago
Trainer Bob Baffert’s admiration for Game On Dude reached a new level after the $750,750 Santa Anita Handicap on Saturday. The race was almost two hours old when Baffert was told that Game On Dude’s winning time of 1:58.17 for 1 1/4 miles was a stakes record in the 77th running of the historic race. Read More...

Game On Dude blazes to third Santa Anita Handicap victory

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude had a one-length lead over Will Take Charge on the turn of Saturday’s $750,750 Santa Anita Handicap when jockey Mike Smith sensed he was on the verge of Santa Anita racing history. Read More...

Byron King: Taris even better than she looks in Honeybee

DRF | 10 years ago
To some, Taris might appear a vulnerable morning-line favorite in Saturday’s Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park. But to these eyes, she isn’t vulnerable – rather, she is a filly likely to win rather comfortably. Read More...

Jay Hovdey: Santa Anita Handicap reclaims its glorious past

DRF | 10 years ago
There are so few four-legged celebrities to go around these days that to find two of them in the starting gate at the same time is cause for a national holiday. Presenting Mucho Macho Man vs. Will Take Charge, Round 2. Read More...

Big ‘Cap Attracts Star Power Like the Old Days

When I moved to Southern California in 1979, the biggest day of the year on the local horse racing calendar was not the Santa Anita Derby or Hollywood Derby (which at that time was a dirt race in... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website ... Read More...

Santa Anita: Mucho Macho Man is 124-pound highweight in Big Cap

DRF | 10 years ago
Mucho Macho Man is alone at the top of the weights for Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap with an assignment of 124 pounds for the meeting’s top race for older horses. Read More...

Santa Anita: Game On Dude no longer Big Cap’s brightest star

DRF | 10 years ago
For a two-time former winner, Game On Dude needs a big race in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 to restore his standing in the handicap division. Read More...

Santa Anita: Mucho Macho Man, Will Take Charge may scare rivals away from Big Cap

DRF | 10 years ago
The presence of top older males Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 may limit the size of the field. As of Sunday, a field of eight or nine was expected for the Big Cap, with a few trainers taking a wait-and-see approach as to whether they will have a runner. Read More...

Santa Anita: Blingo points to Big Cap after San Antonio upset

DRF | 10 years ago
Blingo is bound for the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 after his upset win in Saturday’s $300,500 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita. As of Sunday, Blingo is likely to have ample company in the Big Cap. Read More...

Santa Anita: Blingo surprises in San Antonio as Game On Dude fades to fifth

DRF | 10 years ago
An ideal trip behind a fast pace gave Blingo the biggest win of his career in Saturday’s $300,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita, a race in which 1-5 favorite Game On Dude fought through a speed duel and faded to finish fifth in his 2014 debut. Read More...

Santa Anita: San Antonio familiar territory for Game On Dude

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude makes his 2014 debut in Saturday’s $300,000 San Antonio Stakes over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita. Read More...

Santa Anita: Robert Lewis, San Antonio to have compact fields

DRF | 10 years ago
here are two stakes on dirt at Santa Anita on Saturday – the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes for older horses over 1 1/8 miles and the $200,000 Robert Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles. Both will have small fields. Read More...

Santa Anita: At 7, Game On Dude still trying to win the big one

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude will be in a familiar position at Santa Anita on Saturday – the heavy favorite in the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes. But a victory would do little to answer a question dominating his career: Can Game On Dude win the Breeders’ Cup Classic? Read More...

Santa Anita: Baffert has strong hand for Saturday stakes

DRF | 10 years ago
In addition to the $200,000 San Marcos Stakes, there are two other stakes Saturday at Santa Anita, and leading trainer Bob Baffert will run favorites in both races. Read More...

Santa Anita: Shakin It Up relishing new winter calendar

DRF | 10 years ago
Shakin It Up has emerged as the dominant 4-year-old male in California this winter, with wins in the $301,500 Malibu Stakes over seven furlongs Dec. 26 and the $200,750 Strub Stakes on Saturday. Read More...

Santa Anita notes: Owens high on Top Fortitude

DRF | 10 years ago
Top Fortitude ran like an older horse when he won his 2-year-old debut in a maiden race for sprinters at Hollywood Park in November. Read More...

Wise Dan named a finalist in three Eclipse Award categories

DRF | 10 years ago
Wise Dan, who last year became the first horse since John Henry in 1981 to win three Eclipse Awards in the same year, has a chance to do the same thing again this year, having been named a finalist for Horse of the Year, champion older horse, and champion male turf horse – the three categories he won a year ago – when the finalists in all Eclipse Award divisions for 2013 were announced Wednesday. Read More...

Steven Crist: Close call in many Eclipse categories

DRF | 10 years ago
Much as I’d like to, I can’t put it off any longer. The Eclipse Awards ballots are due and here are my choices for the 11 equine flat-racing titles. Read More...

Hollywood Park notes: Game On Dude pointing to San Antonio

DRF | 10 years ago
Game On Dude, second in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 and California’s leading older horse this year, is likely to make his 2014 debut in the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 8. Read More...