Dude gets 123 for Big 'Cap, might say Game off
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Game on Dude was assigned top weight of 123 pounds for Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, and as of Sunday morning, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was undecided on running. "Here or Dubai," Baffert said succinctly, alluding to mounting a title defense in the Big 'Cap or alternatively going to the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 31. If Baffert were to opt for Dubai, Game on Dude would run on the synthetic Tapeta surface. The five-year-old gelding would also tote almost 126 pounds, level with the other males in the about 1 1/4-mile test. Game on Dude is a perfect four-for-four over Santa Anita's main track, but would be spotting his Big 'Cap rivals weight -- most notably, a seven-pound concession to Setsuko, who was just outdueled by Game on Dude in last year's controversial running. One year ago, Game on Dude carried 115 pounds to Setsuko's 114. Last time out, Game on Dude carried 123 pounds to a 5 1/4-length romp in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes on February 5, in a blistering 1:46 4/5 for nine furlongs. The San Antonio was his first start since finishing second at equal weights of 126 pounds in the Breeders' Cup Classic last November 5.
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Next on the list of weights is Ultimate Eagle at 120 pounds. The Grade 1
Hollywood Derby winner tried the dirt in the Grade 2 Strub Stakes on February 4
and proved to be even more impressive on the main track, opening up by 7 1/4
lengths while completing nine furlongs in 1:47.
Norvsky, winner of the Grade 2 San Gabriel on turf, is rated at 118. Prayer
for Relief, a stablemate of Game on Dude's, is pegged at 117 along with Redding
Colliery, Tapizar and Uh Oh Bango.
The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Redding Colliery plans to stay in New York for
the Grade 3 Excelsior on March 17, according to Daily Racing Form.
Joining Setsuko at the 116-pound level are John Sadler's Gladding and Bill
Mott's Ron the Greek, both expected to contest the Big 'Cap
A total of 18 horses was weighted, with Fiddlers Afleet drawing low weight of
110 pounds. Click
here for the complete weight assignments.
The Big 'Cap Draw Breakfast will be held Wednesday by invitation only,
beginning at 9:30 a.m. (PST) in the track's FrontRunner Restaurant.
The 75th running of the Santa Anita Handicap is supported by two other Grade
1 stakes on Saturday, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile on turf and the Las Virgenes for
three-year-old fillies.
Between races on Big 'Cap Day, two-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Lava Man
will escort Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes winner I'll Have Another for a
six-furlong workout. Doug O'Neill, who trained $5.2 million-earner Lava Man, is
pointing I'll Have Another to the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 7.
The big day also features a $500,000 guaranteed Late Pick 4, and in honor of
the marquee race, fans at Santa Anita will be given free Big 'Cap hats with paid
admission while supplies last.
In addition, there will be another popular Food Truck Festival, featuring 50
trucks, in the infield. First post time is noon. Gates open at 10 a.m.
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