Santa Anita: Game On Dude no longer Big Cap's brightest star

ARCADIA, Calif. – For a two-time former winner, Game On Dude needs a big race in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap on March 8 to restore his standing in the handicap division.

Game On Dude won the 2011 and 2013 Big Caps but will be the third choice at best for this year’s race. He is overshadowed by the presence of Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge, the first two finishers of the Breeders’ Cup Classic here in November.

“He’s a supporting actor,” trainer Bob Baffert said of Game On Dude on Wednesday.

Game On Dude was fifth in his first start of 2014, the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 8. He fought for the early lead with Blueskiesnrainbows and faded from contention in the final furlong.

“He got in a speed duel, Baffert said. “The pace was against him.”

Wednesday at Santa Anita, Game On Dude worked seven furlongs in 1:25.80 under jockey Mike Smith. Game On Dude worked alone. Baffert timed him in 1:26.40.

“He looked pretty good,” Baffert said. “He’s right on schedule.”

Owned by a partnership, Game On Dude is winless in three starts since the Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August. He was ninth behind Mucho Macho Man in the BC Classic, and was beaten a head by Will Take Charge in the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29. Game On Dude, 7, has won 15 of 30 starts and earned $5,713,893.

Game On Dude won the 2013 Big Cap by a record margin of 7 3/4 lengths carrying 125 pounds.

“Last year, I was worried about how much weight I got,” Baffert said.

This year, Baffert needs to see Game On Dude run a winning race.

Mucho Macho Man gets reacquainted

Mucho Macho Man galloped on Santa Anita’s main track on Wednesday, his first exercise on the surface since arriving from Florida on Sunday. Trainer Kathy Ritvo said she is following a pattern of exercise similar to the successful one used when Mucho Macho Man arrived in Southern California last September.

Mucho Macho Man won the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita last September as a prep for the BC Classic.

As of Wednesday, the Big Cap had a field of nine, including American Blend, Appealing Tale, Blingo, Game On Dude, Imperative, Majestic Harbor, Mucho Macho Man, Rousing Sermon, and Will Take Charge. American Blend and Majestic Harbor could start in other races.