Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert plans to run two-time Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Game On Dude in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 20 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, according to the Santa Anita Park publicity office.
Game On Dude is coming off a record 7 3/4-length victory in the March 2 Santa Anita Handicap. He ran second to Duke of Mischief in the 2011 Charles Town Classic over a sloppy, sealed track when the 1 1/8-mile race was a grade III event. This year, the winner of the Charles Town Classic will take home $1 million with the remaining $500,000 of the purse divided between the other participants.
Since his Big 'Cap victory, Game On Dude has not had a published workout.
The imposing 6-year-old son of Awesome Again is owned by Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride, Lanni Family Trust, Ernie Moody’s Mercedes Stable, and Bernie Schiappa. The dark bay gelding has won 12 of 24 lifetime starts with earnings of $3,702,158.
Game On Dude
Benoit Photo