INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - Game On Dude won the $242,500 Native Diver Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths Saturday at Betfair Hollywood Park, rebounding from a poor performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic last month.
Ridden for the first time by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Game On Dude ran 1 1/8 miles on Cushion Track in 1:52.27 and paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 3-10 favorite. He became the shortest priced winner in the race's history, paying less than the $2.80 of Twilight Agenda in 1991.
Nonios returned $3.20 and $2.40, while defending champion Kettle Corn was another 4 1/4 lengths back in third and paid $3 to show. Game On Dude carried high weight of 124 pounds, five more than Nonios.
Richard's Kid, second to Game On Dude in the July 7 Hollywood Gold Cup, finished fourth, beaten 15 1/2 lengths as the 4-1 second choice.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Game On Dude has 10 wins in 22 career starts and earnings of $3,132,158 for an ownership group that includes MLB executive Joe Torre. Game On Dude finished seventh as the favorite in the BC Classic on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
In the $70,440 Skillful Joy Stakes, Reneesgotzip defeated Nechez Dawn by a neck under Garrett Gomez.
Reneesgotzip ran six furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:13.05 and paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 as the 3-10 favorite. The race was moved off the turf because of the threat of rain.
Nechez Dawn returned $3 and $2.20, while Curvy Cat was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $2.80 to show.
Reneesgotzip has five wins in nine career starts and earnings of $454,460. She is undefeated in four races on synthetic surfaces, including three at Betfair Hollywood Park.
