Can Game On Dude Win a Race Three Years In A Row?

Today, Game On Dude will try to become the second three-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (Native Diver won the race in 1965, '66, and '67).  The Santa Anita Handicap has become the Santa Anita Gold Cup, however, but changing it's name does not change the race.  It's contested at one and a quarter miles, the USA's classic Derby distance, on a dirt track.  Past winners include Seabiscuit, Noor, Citation, Gallant Man, Affirmed, Best Pal and Cigar. The race itself has a great history, and some of the greatest horses in the world have raced in it.
   This year, Game On Dude, a 7-year-old gelded son of Awesome Again, is trying to tie the winning record of Native Diver.  He will face six opponents, ranging in age from 4 to six.  Since it is a handicap race, the horses will carry different weights; Game On Dude and four-year-old Lideris have been assigned top weight of 124 pounds (2 pounds less than 3-year-olds carry in the Triple Crown races).  Salto Del Indio, a colt bred in Chile, will carry 121 pounds.  The other four entries, aged 4 to 6, will carry 119 pounds:  Fury Kapcori, Clubhouse Ride, Imperative, and Majestic Harbor.
  "The Dude" has won $6.5 million in his career so far; he will be breaking from post number one, under regular jockey Mike Smith.  Joe Talamo, Gary Stevens and Kent Desormeaux are also riding in the race.  Game On Dude likes to run to the front of the pack and stay there - but there are several other "early speed" horses running, so the race might set up for a horse that runs off the pace, a closer.  For more information regarding the horses and their connections, visit:  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/SA/2014/6/28/8/gold-cup-at-santa-anita-s-gr-i
  And, NBC Sports Network will televise the Santa Anita Gold Cup (no longer the "Big 'Cap") live today; the scheduled post time is 4:45 PDT, and the coverage will last an hour, from 4 to 5 p.m. (or 7 to 8 p.m. EDT).  I'll be rooting for The Dude and Mike Smith.