Pacific Classic: Game On Dude wins by record 8 1/2 lengths

DEL MAR, Calif. – Game On Dude ran arguably the finest race of his outstanding career in Sunday’s $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, leading throughout to win by 8 1/2 lengths.

The margin of victory was a record for the Pacific Classic, California’s richest annual race for older horses.

Game On Dude ran 1 1/4 miles on the synthetic surface in 2:00.69. Kettle Corn was second, a nose in front of You Know I Know.

The win gave Game On Dude his sixth consecutive victory and his fifth this year. He swept the three major races for older horses in California this year, winning the Santa Anita Handicap in March and the Hollywood Gold Cup at Betfair Hollywood Park in July.

Sent off favored, Game On Dude paid $5.40. He set early fractions of 24.19 and 47.96 seconds before drawing off.

Richard’s Kid finished fourth, followed by Holding Glory, Delegation, Byrama, Dullahan, Jeranimo, Endorsement, Farraaj, and Blueskiesnrainbows.

Owned by a partnership and trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude was ridden by Martin Garcia. Game On Dude, a 6-year-old gelding by Awesome Again, has won 15 of 27 starts and earned $5,602,158.