Game On Dude Tops Strong Classic Field At Charles Town

Saturday at Charles Town is a big one, where some of the top handicap runners in the nation head to this West Virginia venue to contest the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (G2). This lucrative stakes run is always an interesting one with some horses trying the bullring for the first time but the class of this field shows how far the race has come in a relatively short period of time. Defending champ, multiple Grade 1 winner and $6 million earner Game on Dude will hope to defend his title for trainer Bob Baffert. The son of Awesome Again continues to thrive and comes off a strong tally in the Santa Anita H. (G1) in preparation of this one. The seven-year-old gelding is 16-for-31 lifetime and clearly has some kind of affinity for this main strip.

Lea was a sensational winner of the Donn H. (G1) in his most recent run and the five-year-old chestnut could surely be the one in this race. Now in the hands of Bill Mott, the son of First Samurai looks to be clearly at his peek and if he could duplicate his latest showing, the field will likely be running for second. The improving Suns Out Guns Out was a very nice winner of an allowance race at Gulfstream and we think he is live in this one with his running style for Dale Romans. Clubhouse Ride, second in this race a year ago, Grade 2 winner Moreno and San Antonio H. (G2) second Imperative are expected.

Also on the major day of racing is the $200,000 Sugar Maple S, $100,000 Hilton Memorial, $50,000 Original Gold and the $50,000 Confucius Say S.