Game On Dude will break from post 11 at Del Mar Aug. 25 in a field of 13 for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I), the richest race in the west for older horses.
He seeks to become only the second horse to win California’s three biggest races—the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic (all gr. I)—in the same year following Lava Man in 2006.
The 6-year-old gelded son of Awesome Again has twice come up short at short odds in the Pacific Classic, a 10-furlong Polytrack event, running fourth in 2011 and then second last year. Game On Dude is listed as the 5-2 morning line favorite for the 23rd renewal featuring the second-largest field in its history. If all start, it would be topped only by the 14 runners in Came Home’s winning effort in 2002.
Game On Dude runs out of the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, a three-time winner of the race. He will be ridden by the nation’s leading rider, Joel Rosario.
Next in the morning line is last year’ s Pacific Classic hero, Dullahan, who’ll start from post 9 with 7-2 odds going in. The Dale Romans-trained chestnut colt again has shipped in from Kentucky to try for his double and will pick up the services of Del Mar’s leading rider, Rafael Bejarano.
Next in the betting comes recent San Diego Handicap (gr. II) winner Kettle Corn , leaving from gate 7 at 6-1, Canadian invader Delegation at 8-1 (post 10), and then two-time Pacific Classic winner Richard's Kid , also at 8-1 (post 6).
The TVG Pacific Classic will be the ninth of 11 races on the Sunday card with a special first post time of 1 p.m. Also on the program will be the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes (gr. II) at seven furlongs and the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) on turf.
The Pacific Classic, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, guarantees the winner free entry into the nation’s richest races, the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. II), to be run Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
The field in post-position order with odds:
1. Endorsement 20/1
2. Liaison 15/1
3. Holding Glory (BRZ) 20/1
4. Farraaj (IRE) 12/1
5. You Know I Know 20/1
6. Richard’s Kid 8/1
7. Kettle Corn 6/1
8. Byrama (F) (GB) 20/1
9. Dullahan 7/2
10. Delegation 8/1
11. Game On Dude 5/2
12. Jeranimo 10/1
13. Blueskiesnrainbows 20/1
Game On Dude has post 11 in the Pacific Classic.
Benoit Photo