Multiple grade I winner Game On Dude has been assigned high weight of 126 pounds for the Nov. 29 running of the $500,000-added Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I), Churchill Downs officials said Nov. 22.
Racing secretary Ben Huffman gave the Bob Baffert trainee 126 pounds for the 1 1/8-mile event, three pounds more than 3-year-old Will Take Charge , winner of the Travers (gr. I) and recent runner-up in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). Will Take Charge receives a three-pound break in the weights as a 3-year-old facing older males, and will carry 123.
Baffert said Game On Dude will work over the weekend at Santa Anita Park. He'll consider that move and the weight assignments in making a final decision on the trip to Churchill for the Clark.
"They've weighted him like he's Horse of the Year, so I guess that's a compliment," Baffert said by telephone. "I'm glad Huffman isn't down on the horse like everyone else is."
Baffert said that if all goes well in coming days, Game On Dude would ship to Kentucky on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Baffert plans to be in attendance on raceday.
Assigned weights for other likely or possible starters in the Clark include Golden Ticket , 120; Prayer for Relief , 118, Bourbon Courage , 117; Easter Gift, 116; Finnegans Wake, 116; and Jaguar Paw, 115.
