Game On Dude stamped himself as top contender for Horse of the Year honors this afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park, where he held off a late run from his stablemate, Richard's Kid, to win the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (gr. I) by two lengths.
Ridden to victory by Chantal Sutherland, Game On Dude got off to an alert start in the field of seven and soon settled into the second position, just behind pace-setting Spud Spivens. Longshots Thirtyfirststreet and Anthony's Cross were next, followed by Kettle Corn, Richard's Kid, and Love Theway Youare.
The early fractions were not very testing, with Spud Spivens clicking off fractions of :24.18 and :47.71. As the field made their way down the backstretch and around the far turn, Game On Dude moved up and stuck his head in front, clearly in command of the race. Following three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.93 and a mile in 1:37.66, Game On Dude entered the homestretch with a sizable advantage and it appeared as though he was on his way to another unchallenged victory.
However, Richard's Kid was rallying fast on the far outside, and with jockey Rafael Bejarano imploring him for more, the seven-year-old veteran rapidly cut into Game On Dude's lead. However, Game On Dude still had something left in the tank, and successfully turned back his stablemate's rally to cross the wire two lengths in front. The final time for ten furlongs was 2:04.19.
Kettle Corn put in a mild run to finish a distant third, while Spud Spivens held on to complete the superfecta.
-Keelerman
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