Game On Dude gains leadership of NTRA Poll

By: SPORTS NETWORK

New York, NY (Sports Network) - Game On Dude, coming off an 8 1/2-length win in Sunday's Pacific Classic, has pulled ahead of reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan into first-place of the current NTRA National Thoroughbred Poll.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude jumped over Wise Dan while receiving 31 top votes and 442 points after trailing in last week's voting by 34 points.

"It was very emotional for me," Baffert said of the Pacific Classic. "I watched it with (wife) Jill in the paddock, in a room with just the two of us and the paddock judge. To go through what we did with him last year, getting run down late like we did."

Wise Dan, trained by Charles LoPresti, is secure in second with 15 first-place votes and 426 points.

Also moving up one spot is champion mare Royal Delta following her commanding victory Sunday at Saratoga in the Personal Ensign. Trained by Bill Mott, the 5-year-old gained 334 points off her 4 1/2-length triumph.

"When she comes with her 'A' game, that's what you expect," said Mott.

Mott noted that the multiple Eclipse Award winner will defend her 2012 win in the Beldame on Sept. 28 at Belmont Park.

Whitney Handicap winner Cross Traffic is fourth with 258 points and is nominated for Saturday's Woodward at Saratoga.

Injured Point of Entry, fifth in the voting, is the lone horse occupying last week's spot. The turf specialist picked up 200 points.

Leading 3-year-old filly Princess of Sylmar advanced two rungs into sixth with 181 points. Trained by Todd Pletcher, she is probable for the Cotillion at Parx Racing on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Del Mar Mile winner Obviously enters the top 10 in seventh-place with 131 points.

"He fired and he dug in when (He Be Fire N Ice) came at him. It was a real good horse race," said Obviously's trainer Mike Mitchell.

Sprinter Sahara Sky is eighth with 96 points followed by Fort Larned (70) and Palace Malice (65).