Million-dollar Dude
Game On Dude cruised to a record 81/2-length victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Calif. The 6-year-old gelding ran 11/4 miles on the synthetic surface in 2:00.69 and extended his winning streak to six races on Sunday. He captured California’s richest race after two previous failures, having finished second last year and fourth in 2011. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and co-owner Joe Torre celebrated on the track. It was the largest winning margin in the race’s 23-year history, bettering the 51/2 lengths that Skimming won by in 2001. Game On Dude paid $5.40, $3.80 and $3.20 as the 8-5 favorite in the 13-horse field. Kettle Corn returned $5.60 and $4.40, while You Know I Know was another nose back in third and paid $9. – AP