Hollywood Park: Game On Dude misses training; still on track for Gold Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Game On Dude did not train Friday at Santa Anita, and a workout scheduled for Sunday has been postponed after the 6-year-old showed signs of viral illness.

The top older horse in California, Game On Dude had an elevated temperature Friday morning and left grain in his feed tub. Trainer Bob Baffert cancelled the 6-year-old’s normal training routine Friday, pending another blood test scheduled for Saturday.

“He’s got a viral thing going on, I think,” Baffert said. “It’s minor, and it might not be anything, but I’ve had a lot of sick horses so I’m not taking any chances. He didn’t track (Friday).”

Game On Dude, 13 for 27 with earnings of more than $4.7 million, has won four straight graded stakes including the Santa Anita Handicap and the Grade 2, $1.5 million Charles Town Classic in his most recent start April 20.

As of Friday, Baffert did not expect the setback to jeopardize Game On Dude’s participation July 6 in Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, which he won a year ago.

Baffert said Game On Dude’s temperature Friday was only slightly higher than normal.

“It’s not really a temperature, it was elevated – 101 – and he left a little bit of grain,” Baffert said.

Initial blood tests came back “in the normal range,” he said.