At the Gate - Friday
By Mike Dempsey
The connections of Game On Dude announced on Thursday that the gelding’s career is over, retired having won 16 of 24 career starts with earnings of $6,498,893.
His last start was a fourth in the Pacific Classic (G1), which was his third loss in a row. His lone win this year was in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), his third win in that race.
"He ran a great race in the Pacific Classic, but it's gotten to the point where there is always going to be some horse who is going to be sacrificed by running with him and forcing him into ridiculous fractions, as was the case at Del Mar," Baffert told Bloodhorse. "It's starting to wear on him a little bit to the point where it's not fun for him anymore. We always felt if he couldn't compete at the grade I level and wasn't enjoying what he was doing, it would be time to retire him.”
The gelding was the beaten favorite in the last two runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), likely costing him Horse of the Year honors. He checked in ninth last year and seventh in 2012.
He was listed at 10-1 and fifth choice in early Breeders’ Cup Classic wagering. Shared Belief is the current betting favorite at 2-1 followed by California Chrome at 4-1. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will be in action on Saturday as the favorite in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G2). The outing wil be his first since his fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1).
With Palace Malice and Game On Dude now out of the Classic, it is looking as if the three-year-old division could dominate.
Here is a look at the top 10 in future odds:
Shared Belief 2/1*
California Chrome 4/1*
Will Take Charge 5/1
Tonalist 10/1*
Bayern 13/1*
Wicked Strong 13/1*
Lea 18/1
Australia 20/1
Clubhouse Ride 20/1
Itsmyluckyday 20/1
Here is today’s opening race from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Clm $20,000 (1:05 ET)
2 Dr Disco 2-1
1 Star of New York 5-1
4 Indy Tune 3-1
5 Say Mr. Sandman 4-1
Analysis: Dr Disco drops back in with state breds after dueling for the early lead and weakening to finish fourth last out against open $25,000 foes in his first go off the claim by the Contessa barn. Two back at this level he pressed the early pace and finished gamely for the runner up spot, sandwiched between a pair of next out winners. He owns the edge in early and mid pace numbers and will be tough in this spot.
Star of New York stalked the early pace and made a mild late rally to finish third, beaten two lengths for the top spot. The gelding was fourth two back in the key race our top pick also exits. He is usually in the mix but does not win often and is just 1 for 19 over the Belmont Park main track with 11 in the money finishes. His last win came at the Big A against open $12,500 foes. His last two speed figs are good enough to be in the mix.
Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 8-5 or better.
EX: 1,2 / 1,2,4,5
TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,4,5 / 1,2,4,5,7
Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 OClm $62,500N2X (4:45 ET)
1 Barrel of Love 3-1
6 Brickyard Kitten 4-1
4 Middleburg 7-2
5 Kilroy 6-1
Analysis: Barrel of Love stalked the early pace and finished evenly in a fourth place finish in the state bred West Point. The top three all came back to run in the state bred Ashley T. Cole with runner up Lubash winning. The gelding ran well two and three back in on-conditioned optional claimers, three back earning a near career top over the turf here. He has landed in the money in 11 of his 17 career starts on the lawn here.
Brickyard Kitten tracked the early pace and finished gamely in a runner up finish last out at this level at the Spa over ground labeled as good. The gelding looks headed in the right direction as he makes his third start since landing with the Tony D. barn. He does not need to move forward much off his last outing to be right in the mix in this spot.
Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 1,6 / 1,4,5,6
TRI: 1,6 / 1,4,5,6 / 1,4,5,6,7
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Belmont Park
R2: #8 Q Two 8-1
R3: #2 Unbelievable Dream 15-1
R4: #8 Blue Collar Cat 10-1
R5: #3 Dangerous Lad 12-1
R6: #12 Jacapo 10-1
R7: #5 Isn’tlovejustgrand 8-1
R9: #1 Trensita 10-1
Good luck today!
w-thumbs!^
