Game On Dude has sharp work for Pacific Classic
DEL MAR, Calif. – 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.
Game On Dude has had a strong series of works here this summer, and he completed his preparation with another eye-catching drill Monday, a five-furlong move in 59.60 seconds under Martin Garcia, who will ride him Sunday.
“I’m happy. He’s ready,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “He’s coming into this race really, really well.”
Game On Dude will need to reach back for one of his best efforts, for this Pacific Classic is shaping up as an outstanding race. As of Monday, a field of 11 was expected for the 1 1/4-mile race, including the unbeaten 3-year-old Shared Belief, Gold Cup winner Majestic Harbor, and United Arab Emirates Derby winner Toast of New York.
Post positions for the race will be drawn Wednesday evening during a reception at a local hotel. Others expected to be entered include Clubhouse Ride, Footbridge, Frac Daddy, Imperative, Irish Surf, Mystery Train, and You Know I Know.
Baffert on Monday said Sky Kingdom would not run.
In his work Monday, Game On Dude started well behind a workmate, then closed with a rush in the stretch and galloped out well. It was his sixth work over this track since finishing fourth last time out in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.
Garcia rode Game On Dude in last year’s Pacific Classic, but Mike Smith has been on him since. Garcia regained the mount when Smith chose to ride Shared Belief.
In addition to Game On Dude, both Frac Daddy and Majestic Harbor worked five furlongs at Del Mar on Monday. Frac Daddy was timed in 59.40 seconds, Majestic Harbor in 59.20.
On Sunday, Irish Surf worked six furlongs in 1:13.20, Imperative went five furlongs in 1:03.40, and You Know I Know turned in a sharp seven-furlong move in 1:24.60.
When Irish Surf took a clear lead after a quarter-mile in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap going 1 1/2 miles July 25, he essentially won the marathon race a mile from the finish. It will be almost impossible to utilize the same strategy in the Pacific Classic.
Against a tougher field, and one loaded with horses who run on or near the front, Irish Surf will have company early. Trainer Dan Hendricks said Sunday he was unsure whether he would tell jockey Elvis Trujillo to send Irish Surf early or take a patient approach.
“I have no idea whether we’ll go,” he said. “First, we have to see who enters and go from there. It’s a big difference as to who is drawn outside and who is inside.”
Trujillo worked Irish Surf, who went alone. Hendricks caught his final quarter-mile in 23.80 seconds.
“I wanted a strong finish,” Hendricks said. “He’s good and ready.”
– additional reporting by Steve Andersen