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.

Game On Dude Wins Third Big 'Cap

Game On Dude raced into history yesterday in the Santa Anita Handicap.  The hard-knocking seven-year-old gelding took the lead out of the starting gate and never looked back.  He broke the stakes record, set by Affirmed, and almost equaled the track record set by Spectacular Bid.  Four-year-old Will Take Charge finished in second place, one and 3/4 lengths behind the Dude.  Blingo came up to catch Mucho Macho Man for the third place purse.  Mucho Macho Man had been the betting favorite, after defeating Will Take Charge by a nose in November's Breeders Cup Classic.

  Game On Dude is the first horse to ever win three Santa Anita Handicap Races.  John Henry, Milwaukee Brew and Lava Man are the only two-time winners of the Big 'Cap.  Yesterday's race was almost a reminder of the 1940 edition, when crowd favorite Seabicuit  was able to win on his third try, after being retired with a bowed tendon....

  

And if you're living in the United States, and live where Daylight Savings Time is in effect, I hope you remembered to turn your clocks forward one hour....