Game On Dude, in quest of his second victory in the Santa Anita Handicap, worked four furlongs towards that goal on Santa Anita’s fast main track on a
picture-perfect Sunday morning in 48.40 according to Santa Anita
clockers. Rafael Bejarano was aboard.
Bob Baffert got the Awesome Again gelding in 1:00 4/5 for five furlongs.
“He went nice,” said the Hall of Fame trainer of Game On Dude, who won the Big ’Cap in 2011. “He just cruised around there.”
Asked about the status of Sky Kingdom and Strub Stakes winner Guilt
Trip for the Big ’Cap, Baffert was somewhat noncommittal, saying he was
“thinking about it, but I don’t know if I’m going to run them yet.”
Other Baffert workers Sunday included Castaway and Drill, nominees to
next Saturday’s Grade II San Carlos Stakes, four furlongs in company in
47.80 each.
Carla Gaines sent Crystal Water winner and Big ’Cap candidate John
Scott five furlongs in company with San Carlos prospect Midnight
Transfer in 1:01 each.
San Carlos contender Justin Phillip was one of six Steve
Asmussen-trained runners on the work tab, going four furlongs under the
supervision of Asmussen assistant Scott Blasi in 49.40. Eddie D. winner
Unbridled’s Note, prepping for the $75,000 Joe Hernandez Handicap at
about 6 ½ furlongs on turf next Saturday, went four furlongs in 49.80.
Probable for the Santa Anita Handicap: Game On Dude, Ron the Greek,
Called to Serve, Guilt Trip, Stephanoatsee, Handsome Mike, John Scott,
Sky Kingdom, Clubhouse Ride and Tritap.