Santa Anita
Breeders' Cup Classic: Game On Dude gears up with six-furlong drill
Shigeki Kikkawa Game On Dude, with Martin Garcia up, works six furlongs in 1:12.20 on Tuesday at Santa Anita.
Game On Dude on Tuesday turned up the intensity of his preparation for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 when working a sharp six furlongs in company at Santa Anita.
Game On Dude was given an official time of 1:12.20 for six furlongs, and his trainer, Bob Baffert, had him going out seven furlongs in “1:25 and change.” He will have two more works prior to the Classic, in which he is expected to be favored.
“Everything went great,” Baffert said. “He was sharp. He’s on schedule.”
Martin Garcia, who regularly works Game On Dude, was up for the drill, but Mike Smith will have the mount in the Classic. Garcia is scheduled to ride Baffert’s other Classic contender, Paynter.