Game On Dude paces strong class of hopefuls for Breeders’ Cup Classic

When Game On Dude won the San Antonio at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, the 5-year-old Bob Baffert colt threw down the gauntlet that this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita will have to go through him. Game On Dude ran second in last year’s Classic, but toyed with the field in the San Antonio, winning by 5¼ lengths.

I know it’s too early to think about the Breeders’ Cup this fall. But believe me, any trainer with a nice horse already has circled Nov. 2 and 3 and is working backward to map out a rough game plan to hit the target date.

A lot can happen until then, but you can’t reach a destination without a road map.

The handicap division could be unusually strong this season, and a lot has to do with last year’s returning 3-year-olds. A preponderance of those colts did not retire and go to stud, as has been the norm in recent decades.

The now 4-year-old class includes the likes of Animal Kingdom, Astrology, Caleb’s Posse, Jaycito, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, Ruler On Ice, Shackleford, Stay Thirsty, Sway Away, Tapizar, To Honor and Serve and Ultimate Eagle. With a year of physical growth and mental maturity, this group could make the handicap division the most talented in many years.

The past three Horses of the Year have been females: Havre de Grace (2011), Zenyatta (2010) and Rachel Alexandra (2009). All were deserving champions. However, it also cast a shadow that no male had done enough to earn the title.

Havre de Grace is back to defend her crown. But she could be facing a much more formidable male group than last year. As you recall, Havre de Grace beat males in the Woodward at Saratoga and then finished the year by running fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

It’ll be interesting to see how this group of 4-year-old males develops. They will have chances all year to flex their muscles from coast to coast — and beyond. We already know that Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is pointing to the $6 million Dubai World Cup on March 31. He will have one prep race, likely at Tampa Bay Downs, before taking on the world’s best. If he wins in Dubai, he might be a good measuring stick for the rest of his generation.

■ DERBY FUTURES WAGER — The Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 1 will close at 3 p.m. Sunday. In Las Vegas, we also can make Derby futures bets at Wynn Las Vegas, Lucky’s and LVH race books. If you like a Derby hopeful, or two, I suggest you wait for Sunday and shop for a price between the Derby Future pari-mutuel pool and our local fixed-odds book pools. By the way, the field has won Pool 1 in three of the past four Derbies.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.