Game On Dude assumes the lead in NTRA Poll

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Game On Dude controlled Saturday's $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup and has been rewarded with first-place in the latest NTRA Poll. The five-year-old gelding had finished second in last year's Gold Cup by a nose.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude advanced two spots from last week following his 1 1/2 length win over stablemate Richard's Kid. For his effort the gelding received 18 first-place votes and 415 points.

"They both ran a great race. Richard's Kid is a really good horse. We'll take him (Game On Dude) to Del Mar to see if he likes the track," Baffert said following the Gold Cup. "Last year, he really didn't train well there. If he trains well, I'll run him (in the $1 million guaranteed Pacific Classic Aug. 26). If he doesn't, I'll just freshen him up and wait for the fall. He loves Santa Anita and the Breeders' Cup (Classic, Nov. 3) has been our goal. Richard's Kid will run next in the Pacific Classic (a race he won in 2009 and 2010)."

Dropping to second is Ron the Greek. The winner of the Stephen Foster and Santa Anita Handicaps picked up 10 top votes and 394 points.

Sliding into third is Mucho Macho Man off Saturday's winning effort in the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. The four-year-old garnered four first-place votes and 360 points.

"I'm so happy for my horse. He ran a good race, a solid race. This is really an extraordinary horse," said Mucho Macho Man's owner Dean Reeves.

Shackleford, winner of the Met Mile, fell two rungs to fourth. The four-year- old colt received four top votes and 337 points.

Four-year-old filly Royal Delta dropped a spot into fifth. The lone female in the top 10 picked up five first-place votes and 252 points.

Wise Dan continues to slide in the poll. The five-year-old gelding descended a spot to sixth with 209 points. He's followed by I'll Have Another (8, 164), Acclamation (115), Bodemeister (1, 106) and Union Rags (70).