The connections of superstar five year old gelding Game On Dude are hoping that the ‘second time is the charm’. One year ago he looked to be poised for a win in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic only to get caught by Drosselmeyer in the stretch run. He’s been pre-entered in the Classic once again and will almost certainly go off as the post time favorite.
There’s a lot to like about Game On Dude to get it done this year. He’s trained by Bob Baffert, one of the best in the sport. He enters the race in great form and has been generally dominating all year. In his last three races Game on Dude has put up Beyer Figures in excess of 100 in each–109,110,108–with two victories and one second place finish. In six races this season he’s got one disappointing finish (12th at the Dubai World Cup) but otherwise has been almost perfect with four wins and one second place.
In his last race–the G1 Awesome Again at Santa Anita in late September–he boasted another solid win to remain unbeaten for his career at the race track. He’s got four career wins at Santa Anita and will have Rafeal Bejerano on board for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and he’s one of the best in the business on this track. coming off of a solid win in the Awesome Again (G1) in late September at Santa Anita.
There are a couple of other options to bet on Breeders’ Cup 2012 in the main event including the consistent Flat Out and another formful horse in Mucho Macho Man. Despite solid futures betting support for both of the aforementioned horses it’s hard to see either surpassing Game On Dude for the status of post time favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Game On Dude has the pedigree, the speed, the recent form, first rate connections, a top flight jockey and will run on his favorite track. There’s really not a good ‘downside rap’ on Game On Dude and almost no way to give qualitative preference to either Mucho Macho Man or Flat Out. The official post draw for all of the Breeders’ Cup races will take place on Monday.
