Hollywood Park: Game On Dude to shoulder career-high weight in Gold Cup

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Game On Dude, set to defend his title in the Grade 1, $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup on Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park, turned in his final prep for that race Monday at Santa Anita with an official clocking of 47.80 seconds for four furlongs. Trainer Bob Baffert said he had Game On Dude going out six furlongs in 1:13.

“He went nice, just cruised around there and galloped out real strong,” Baffert said.

Game On Dude on Sunday was assigned 127 pounds for the Gold Cup. That would be the highest impost of his career, which now numbers 25 races. He has carried 126 pounds four times, all losses.

Game On Dude has won four straight races, including the Santa Anita Handicap, in which he carried 125 pounds to a 7 3/4-length victory while giving runner-up Clubhouse Ride 10 pounds. He subsequently won the April 20 Charles Town Classic by a half-length over Clubhouse Ride while giving him seven pounds, 123-116. That was his most recent start.

Clubhouse Ride was assigned 119 pounds for the Gold Cup, as was Liaison, who, like Game On Dude, is trained by Baffert. Liaison had his final prep Sunday, working five furlongs in 1:00.

Game On Dude won last year’s Gold Cup while carrying 124 pounds. He has won three times in four starts at Hollywood Park.

Others expected for the Gold Cup include Kettle Corn (116 pounds) and Oilisblackgold (115). Possible are Golden Ticket (117) and Batti Man (113).