Game On Dude tunes up for Gold Cup

Game On Dude moved closer to a start in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 29 with a five-furlong workout in 1:00.60 at Santa Anita on Thursday.

Game On Dude worked in company with a stablemate, starting two lengths behind. He moved alongside the stablemate on the outside on the turn and finished in front under jockey Martin Garcia. The final time equaled the 12th fastest of 39 recorded works at the distance.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude won the Santa Anita Handicap in March, ending a three-race losing streak. Game On Dude was second to Imperative in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in West Virginia on April 19.

Baffert held Game On Dude out of Saturday’s $200,000 Californian Stakes in preference for the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. A 7-year-old gelding, Game On Dude has won 16 of 32 starts and earned $6,408,893 for Bernie Schiappa, Joe Torre, Debbi Lanni, and Mercedes Stable.

Game On Dude has won 14 stakes, including the Hollywood Gold Cup in 2012 and 2013. Hollywood Park was closed last December, but the track’s top race for older horses continues as the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. The race remains 1 1/4 miles.