Game on Dude scores in Lone Star Derby

Lanni Family Trust and Mercedes Stables LLC's GAME ON DUDE (Awesome Again)

bided his time in midpack during Saturday's $200,000

Lone Star Derby (G3), rallied around rivals circling the turn and drew off

to post a 4 1/2-length victory under jockey Martin Garcia. Trained by Bob

Baffert, the dark bay gelding ran 1 1/16 miles on Lone Star Park's fast dirt

track in 1:44 3/5 to add a first stakes scores to his resume.

Henshin Hero (Dance Master), the 8-5 second choice in the six-horse field,

grabbed the lead when the gates opened, setting splits of :22 4/5, :46 1/5 and

1:11 while tracked by Wando Redd (Wando). It was four lengths back to Game on

Dude, who was traveling well just off the rail. Wando Redd couldn't maintain his

pace as Game on Dude began his run exiting the backstretch. The eventual winner

briefly pulled even with Henshin Hero, then quickly left that one behind to

cross under the line an easy winner in his third stakes try.

Game on Dude was worth $4.40, $2.60 and $2.20 as the 6-5 favorite, keying the

$10.20 exacta and $16.60 trifecta. Crider (Closing Argument) came running late

and was best of the rest as the 5-2 third pick. He paid $3.20 and $2.40 for

finishing 3 1/2 lengths clear of Henshin Hero, who returned $2.40. Wando Redd

ended the 4-6-5-1 superfecta that totaled $33.40 and was followed under the wire

by Thatlleaveamark (Marked Tree) and Gilded Woodman (Gilded Crusader), who

trailed throughout.

Game on Dude broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park on February 27 in his second

career try and was immediately thrown to the wolves when entered in the Florida

Derby (G1). The sophomore was a well-beaten seventh that day and soon after

found himself taking up residence in a new shedrow after being transferred to

Baffert from trainer Michael Mareina. Baffert sent his new charge into the Derby

Trial S. (G3) last out, and Game on Dude could do no better than fifth in that

test. Finally earning that first black-type win here, his record now stands at

5-2-1-0, $157,259.

Bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, Game on Dude is the second registered foal

out of stakes winner Worldly Pleasure (Devil His Due), who has since produced an

unraced juvenile colt named Northland Express (North Light [Ire]). Game on Dude

was a $210,000 Keeneland September RNA.