Hollywood Park: Game On Dude might take shot at Clark Handicap at Churchill

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Game On Dude, ninth as the favorite in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last Saturday, may not be done racing this year.

Trainer Bob Baffert said earlier this week that Game On Dude will be considered for the $500,000 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29. The Grade 1 Clark is run over 1 1/8 miles on the main track.

“The Dude will let me know if he’s up for it,” Baffert said. “It’s a race of interest.”

Game On Dude lost a chance to clinch the Horse of the Year title with his loss in the BC Classic. Sent off at 8-5, Game On Dude led as the field went past the stands for the first time. Ridden by Mike Smith, Game On Dude raced in third until the top of the stretch when he faded from contention, finishing 11 lengths behind Mucho Macho Man.

“When he ran like that, he wasn’t tired,” Baffert said. “Mike took care of him.”

Baffert said he has time to train Game On Dude before making a decision on a trip to Kentucky.

“I’ll see how he is,” Baffert said. “So far, he doesn’t show me anything [wrong].”

Game On Dude has not started at Churchill Downs since finishing second to Drosselmeyer in the 2011 BC Classic, his best finish in the nation’s richest race. Game On Dude was seventh in the 2012 BC Classic at Santa Anita.

Following that race, Game On Dude won six consecutive stakes, beginning last December through August of this year. The streak included the three major races for older horses run each year in Southern California – the Santa Anita Handicap in March, Hollywood Gold Cup in July, and the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August.

Owned by Bernie Schiappa, Joe Torre, Mercedes Stable, and Debbie Lanni, Game On Dude has won 15 of 28 starts and earned $5,602,158.