2013 Eclipse Award Champion Older Male
Sire Awesome Again
Grandsire Deputy Minister
Dam Worldly Pleasure
Damsire Devil His Due
Sex Gelding
Foaled April 26, 2007
Country United States
Colour Dark Bay
Breeder Adena Springs
Owner Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC, Bernie Schiappa
Trainer Bob Baffert
Record 34: 16-7-1
Major wins
Lone Star Derby (2010), Santa Anita Handicap (2011, 2013, 2014), Goodwood Stakes (2011, 2012), san Antonio Stakes (2012, 2013), Californian Stakes (2012), Hollywood Gold Cup (2012, 2013), Native Diver Handicap (2012), Charles Town Classic (2013), Pacific Classic Stakes (2013)
April 26 - Game On First Dude
This iron horse with six years on the track and earnings of nearly $6.5 million is now one of the posters boys of after care as he spends his golden years at Old Friends in Kentucky. If you happen to be visiting Old Friends today or this weekend. Take him some carrot cake.
Game On Dude was one of the most popular and durable older horses of the 2010s and a true California fan favorite. He was foaled in 2007 and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. He was owned by a partnership of Bernie Schiappa, Joe Torre (the famous Yankees manager), and others. His sire was Awesome Again, the 1998 Breeders Cup Classic winner, and his dam was Worldly Pleasure, a daughter of Devil His Due. He was a tall, white faced gelding with a big personality and a nose for the wire.
Game On Dude raced from 2009 to 2014 and put together one of the deepest resumes in modern racing. He hit the board in the 2011 Breeders Cup Classic, where he finished second to Drosselmeyer at Churchill Downs in a sensational stretch run. He also took on Curlin's son Caleb's Posse in major races and battled with the best older horses in the country.
His list of big wins is remarkable. He won the Santa Anita Handicap three times in 2011, 2013, and 2014, an incredible feat in one of the country's most historic races. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup twice in 2011 and 2013 and added the 2013 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. He also took the Charles Town Classic in 2011, where he set a track record. His 2013 campaign was so dominant that many fans expected him to win the Breeders Cup Classic, but he never quite delivered that ultimate prize.
Game On Dude retired in 2014 with 16 wins from 35 starts and earnings of over 6.4 million dollars. He spent his retirement at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Kentucky, where he became a beloved fixture for visitors. He passed away in 2022. Game On Dude is remembered as a classy, tough, and likable gelding who brought fans to the track for years and gave Bob Baffert and Joe Torre countless great days at the races.
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