Following Game On Dude’s victory over stablemate Richard’s Kid in the
Hollywood Gold Cup, trainer Bob Baffert said he’d take them both to Del
Mar and see how the duo, particularly Game On Dude, handled the
Polytrack surface, before deciding on TVG Pacific Classic assignments.
Game On Dude appeared to take a step toward the Classic with a four
furlong workout on Saturday in 47.80 that got a “Game On Dude loved Del
Mar today, worked lights out,” tweet from Baffert to his followers on
Twitter.
“He went really well on this track,” Baffert said this morning. “For
some reason, last year he didn’t look comfortable on it, but as long as
he stays working that way, it’s good. We’re pointing for it (Pacific
Classic) but he’ll have to be on his game. As long as he’s on his game
we’ll run.”
Richard’s Kid went five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday. The two-time
Pacific Classic winner (2009-2010) will go in the Grade III, 1 ½-mile,
$100,000 Cougar II Handicap on Friday. A runner-up finish in the 2009
Cougar II provided the encouragement to enter Richard’s Kid in the
Pacific Classic which produced a $50.80 upset victory.