Tag Archives: Game On Dude

Community/Charity, Racing

Grade 1 Winner Game On Dude Nominated to National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame

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Game On Dude at Old Friends (Photo: Rick Capone)

GEORGETOWN, KY – MARCH 2, 2020 — The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame announced its nominees for induction in the class of 2020. Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, is proud to announce multiple-graded-stakes winner and racing superstar Game On Dude was among the equine nominees.

The 13-year-old gelded son of Awesome Again – Worldly Pleasure by Devil His Due retired to Old Friends in 2014 following one of the most prestigious campaigns in racing history, and has been a star attraction on the farm, which is open to the public daily.

Game On Dude is turned out with 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Little Mike in what the farm often refers to as the $10 million paddock.

Campaigned by trainer Bob Baffert and owned by a partnership that includes Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride, the Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable, and Bernie Schiappa, Game On Dude holds the distinction of being the only horse to ever capture three runnings of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap. In his final Big ‘Cap victory, in 2014, he covered the 1-1/4 mile distance in stakes record time of 1:58.17.

In addition, Game On Dude is only the second horse in history to sweep California’s three Grade 1 handicaps — the Santa Anita Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Pacific Classic — in the same year.

In his 34 career starts Game On Dude captured 16 wins, eight of them Grade 1 stakes and 14 graded stakes in all. His career earnings are just under $6.5 million.

“Everyone at Old Friends is thrilled by this well-deserved honor bestowed on the irresistible Dude,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “We think he’s a worthy Hall of Famer and has earned the distinction. Thanks to the Hall of Fame nominating committee for appreciating all that Game On Dude has done for our great sport.”

The 2020 Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on Friday, August 7, at 10:30 am. The event is free and open to the public (seating is limited).

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Auctions, Community/Charity

“Hats Off to the Horses” Continues with Chapeau Inspired by GR1 Winner Game On Dude

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Rosie Napravnik models the Game On Dude hat. Dress by Bella Rose, photo Courtesy EquiSport Photos.

GEORGETOWN, KY – DECEMBER 1, 2014 – The online fashion auction “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” continues today with a third beautiful Derby chapeau going on the virtual auction block to raise money for Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY.

This new hat was inspired by the three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner and recent Old Friends retiree Game On Dude. With earnings of just under $6.5 million, the Dude won 16 of 34 starts, including 14 graded stakes and, notably, two editions of both the Hollywood Gold Cup and Goodwood-Awesome Again Stakes.

This hat crafted in his honor will be showcased by famed jockey Rosie Napravnik, the “Hats Off to the Horses” spokesmodel, and will be up for bid from December 1st through December 11th.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Old Friends has joined with acclaimed milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of the Massachusetts-based Maggie Mae Designs® to auction off six handcrafted Kentucky Derby hats between November and April, each inspired by one of the non-profit organization’s 150 retired racehorses.

The “Game On Dude” is a fedora-flavored crown with a 24-inch end-to-end brim fashioned out of chocolate-colored dupioni silk and a swirling black underbrim.

The hat is adorned with a pumpkin and cinnamon shaded rose curl that is nestled in royal blue satin and organza leaves, and eight black silk organza “feathers” lined with shimmering gold organza to reflect Game On Dude’s eight Grade 1 wins.

“Sally’s works of millinery art have raised thousands of dollars for Old Friends and a priceless amount of awareness for all these great retired athletes,” said Michael Blowen, Old Friends president and founder. “We’re excited to be working with her for a sixth wonderful year.”

Bidding on the “Game On Dude” will begin at 8 pm on December 1st and will be open for 10 days only. Interested bidders can go to the Old Friends website at www.oldfriendsequine.org and follow the link.

For a video of Rosie Napravnik’s photo shoot with Game On Dude, visit http://vimeo.com/113203842.

For additional information, contact Maggie Mae Designs® at sally@maggiemae.com.

For more information about Old Friends, see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call the farm at (502) 863-1775.

Maggie Mae Designs Custom Millinery offers magnificent hats for all occasions, from glamorous racing events such as the Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot to stunning bridal wear and handsome cocktail fashions. Every hat is carefully handcrafted by milliner Sally Faith Steinmann from her home base in South Harwich, MA. Salons of her fashions can be seen on her website at www.maggiemaedesigns.com.

About Old Friends
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 115 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.