Hot List Stakes Review: Santa Anita Handicap
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By Shawn Rychling
The conclusion that comes out of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap is a simple one: The rumors of the demise of Game On Dude have been greatly exaggerated.
After six straight victories through the Pacific Classic last August, Game On Dude came up short in his last three starts, including a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But the Bob Baffert-trained 7-year-old proved he isn’t finished yet with a scintillating front-running score to beat Will Take Charge and Mucho Macho Man, who were favored over him in the wagering.
Game On Dude cut over from his No. 7 post at the start and dueled briefly with long shot Hear the Ghost before opening a clear lead on the first turn. Mike Smith then took his charge through a half-mile in :45.39 and three-quarters in a blistering 1:09.39.
Mucho Macho Man, the 6-5 favorite, and second choice, Will Take Charge (at 3-2 odds), both made a run at the leader in tandem at the 3/8ths pole, but Game On Dude repelled them. He went on to run a mile in 1:32.39, covering the fourth quarter mile in an unheard of :23.18 – nearly a full second faster than he ran the previous quarter.
Game On Dude held about a two length lead after turning back the challenge and Mucho Macho Man was finished at the top of the stretch. Will Take Charge did make one more attempt and had he not taken the far turn a little wide he might have at least made the stretch run a little more interesting. It may not have mattered as Game On Dude cruised home on what was simply his day running the 1 ¼ miles in a remarkable 1:58.17. It was a record third Big ‘Cap win for Game On Dude.
In the betting, Game On Dude was hovering around 5-1 territory at three minutes before post and the late money poured in, knocking him down to 7-2. That earns him a ‘C’ under the Hot List system, but rest assured even absent of any betting angle he deserved an ‘A.’ Will Take Charge came in as an ‘A’ for his second-place showing in the Donn Handicap, and we’ll give him a ‘B’ this time as he made a move entering the far turn into that hot pace and stayed on despite blowing the turn. He may need a break after traveling across the country the last few months for starts in California, Florida and Kentucky. Mucho Macho Man gets no letter from us after flopping a bit as the favorite, but he should rebound later this year.
No other horse showed anything in terms of betting action or on-track performance.
Hot List horses: Game On Dude (C), Will Take Charge (B)
Santa Anita Handicap Late Wagering Report
The Hot List, founded by turf writer/handicapper Bob Ehalt in 2011, blends a detailed analysis of a race with late wagering trends to pick out the horses with the best chance of running a winning race in their next start. Hot List horses are rated in four lettered categories:
A : A preferred horse to watch off his effort in the race
B : A secondary horse to watch off his effort in the race
*C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final minutes of wagering and finished 1st through 3rd
*D: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final minutes of wagering and finished 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
For questions on the Hot List, email: nyhotlist@gmail.com