Game On Dude rebounded from a dismal showing in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) to win the $250,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III) this afternoon at Betfair Hollywood Park by a determined length over the talented three-year-old Nonios.
With jockey Mike Smith riding the five-year-old gelding for the first time, Game On Dude broke just a step slowly and was beaten to the early lead by Nonios, who was hustled out of the gate by jockey Martin Pedroza to try and pin Game On Dude down along the fence. But Smith was not about to let that happened, urging Game On Dude hard to try and secure the lead. This they did in bold fashion, battling their way through on the inside of Nonios to grab the advantage. Make Music for Me was looming behind them in third, while Kettle Corn and Richard's Kid were the trailers.
Through fractions of :24.52, :49.81, and 1:14.97 over a deep and slow track, Game On Dude led the way with Nonios right behind him. The positions remained unchanged down the backstretch, but rounding the final turn, the real race began. With Pedroza asking Nonios for everything he had, the massive colt unleashed a burst of acceleration that carried him right up alongside Game On Dude with less than a furlong remaining. He appeared capable of going on and winning the race, but Game On Dude dug deep and repelled the challenge, drawing off late to win by a length while stopping the clock for nine furlongs in 1:52.27.
Kettle Corn finished well behind the top two in third, while Richard's Kid and Make Music for Me completed the order of finish.
The winner, a son of Awesome Again, is trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC, and Bernard Schiappa. The Native Diver marked his eighth stakes victory, and tenth win overall, from twenty-two starts.
-Keelerman
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