Catching Up With Game On Dude

After a career that spanned five seasons, Game On Dude retired to Old Friends Equine at the end of 2014. Hear how the great gelding has settled into his new home and what Old Friends founder and president Michael Blowen thinks of the new resident.
One of the most successful geldings in recent times, Game On Dude is the only horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap three times, with his last career victory coming in the 2014 edition of the race before retiring last fall.
Running in five races in 2014, Game On Dude’s last race showed how determined a racehorse he was when he ran blazing fractions when forced into a speed duel with Mystery Train in the Pacific Classic in August. Mystery Train ended up finishing second-to-last in the race while Game On Dude grudgingly gave up the lead in the final quarter mile, finishing fourth.
About a month later, his connections called it quits with the gelding but he stayed in trainer Bob Baffert’s barn while they decided where he would spend his retirement. One of the options was Old Friends Equine in Georgetown, Ky., a retirement farm home to many of racing’s former stars. Old Friends’ founder and president Michael Blowen said the process of convincing Game On Dude’s connections that Old Friends was the right place for him was a lot like the rigorous process Old Friends went through to get their Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) accreditation.
“I talked to Bob [Baffert during the process] and my respect for Bob went up exponentially. He said ‘Okay, what is the cell phone number for your veterinarian, I want to talk to him’, ‘how far are you from Rood and Riddle’, ‘what do you do in this case’, ‘who’s your farm manager?’ It was like going through the same accreditation process that I went through with the TAA. He wanted to know everything and he sent people here on tours. He was very, very serious. He wasn’t going to send this horse into any situation that wasn’t going to be perfect for this animal and if it wasn’t perfect, he wasn’t going to send him here. I’m so glad he did because I’m sure there were a lot of other groups [that wanted him],” Blowen said.
GAME ON DUDE A FEW MONTHS AFTER ARRIVING AT OLD FRIENDS

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
A pair of people who Baffert sent to tour the facility was Game On Dude’s exercise rider and her husband. While they were there, a present arrived for the facility.
“All of a sudden this trailer came up the road … and in the back there was a brand new Kubota from the people who own Game On Dude,” Blowen said. “[The trailer was carrying] an $18,000 Kubota and it’s heated. They just sent this Kubota and it’s been a savior to us this winter with the heater and how it gets through the snow and everything. I mean, it’s just been unbelievable.”
Around that time, Blowen received the call that Old Friends would be Game On Dude’s new home. It was soon followed by the news that champion sprinter Amazombie would also be joining Old Friends and flying on the same plane as Game On Dude.
Game On Dude arrived at Old Friends on Oct. 7 and quickly settled into his new life. Blowen soon fell in love with the gelding who had also stolen the hearts of those who worked around him at the track.
“As much as I love Silver Charm and love having him here, I love Game On Dude because he’s so sweet. He’ll do anything for you, it’s like he wants to please you. He makes no demands at all and he loves Jolly Ranchers, except for the green apple flavor, that’s one thing. So if anyone wants to bring him some Jolly Ranchers, he likes the watermelon a lot and the cherry and he loves his carrots,” he said.
The great horses that we have here are not only physically talented, they are very, very smart and Game On Dude is a very intelligent horse, he’s really, really smart and on top of that he is very kind. He’s probably the most perfect retiree we’ve ever had.”
GAME ON DUDE, MICHAEL BLOWEN, AND THE FAMOUS BUCKET OF CARROTS

Photo by Melissa Bauer-Herzog
While none of his racing connections have yet visited him, Game On Dude has been visited by Bob Baffert’s wife’s family, who live in Nashville, Tenn. Baffert’s wife Jill, who is one of Game On Dude’s biggest fans, was recently visiting her family with her son Bode and planned on visiting the gelding but the plan was cancelled due to a snow storm in the region. However, with Baffert having multiple horses pointed to the Kentucky Derby, Blowen expects that the Bafferts, and Game On Dude’s owners, will visit in the spring.
“When the weather breaks and they can find their way to Kentucky I’m sure they’re all going come and see him and I hope they’re pleased with the way he’s doing.”
Game On Dude’s racetrack connections aren’t the only ones who can visit him at the farm. Old Friends is open to visitors seven days a week with multiple tours a day. Those who stop by Game On Dude’s paddock on the tour will also be greeted by another familiar face as Game On Dude’s neighbor is another one of Bob Baffert’s greatest trainees, Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm, who arrived at the farm in December.
For more information on how to schedule a tour at Old Friends, you can visit www.oldfriendsequine.org/tours.html.