Game on Dude enters the Pacific Classic as one of the leading horse of the year candidates, a perfect 4/4 record in 2013 and probably even money favorite for the Pacific Classic. Those who prefer the contrarian point of view Game on Dude offers plenty of bullets.
Six reasons why Game on Dude could be vulnerable.
Surface: Delmar poly not Game on Dude’s preferred surface. This is the 3rd Pacific Classic for Game on Dude. A 4th place finish 2 years ago and 2nd place finish last year. Delmar Poly plays different by the week, but in routes for the most part favors closers.
New Rider: Mike Smith fit the Dude like a glove, front running style and staying clear of the trouble and sensing soft paces Mike has allowed the Dude to do what he does best. Rosario injured on Friday means a new rider and Game on Dude is a need to lead type at this point in his career.
More Speed: Game on Dude has been isolated speed horse in his last couple of races. Fractions are not the main concern with the Dude but pressure is. Delegation, and Endorsement add legitimate speed to the pace and also offer some pressure points for the first 4 furlongs.
Big Field: Game on Dude is the 5 and 6 horse specialist, Big Bulky Field in the Classic with speed to the Inside, a 3 wide trip into the first turn is to be expected and if he tries to force the issue a sub 48 for the half is possible with that kind of trip the track profile favors the closers.
Increased Competition: Dullahan is off form, but improves by 6 lengths on the Poly, Dullahan ran his career best race last year in the Pacific Classic off a couple of dismal races. His Bluegrass win at Keeneland was a monster effort last year. Dullahan, and Richard’s Kid are on preferred surface and like the distance and will close.
Odds: You Can’t with them all unless your Personal Ensign. Game on Dude was not tested in his last race and has been in top form for 6 months. The tote board in the Horizontal and Vertical best will be heavily skewed. From an investment pick 3 and pick 4 overlays are possible if you throw out the dude. You only get about 10 races a year when the large favorite is very vulnerable. With his running style Game on Dude is also vulnerable not to place. If he falters he could falter out of the top two.
Dullahan has recorded sharp recent workouts and is a true distance and surface horse for course, odds will be right and gets a pace to run at, current form is suspect but so was form last year when he beat older horses off back to back losses on the turf.
Jeranimo is a proven closer who comes in with sharp recent form. Closer and Poly breeding this is the upset special who likes to run wide and make one late run, has run inside of hores in the past, an aggressive ride to get in position and may be able to secure rail for the stretch drive.
Liaison a personal favorite who does not like the surface, but his last race was way off form, was sharp early this year and may just be the ultimate plodder on Sunday with a chance.
Game On in the Pacific Classic
Dullahan
Jeranimo
Liaison