Game Winner easily best in American Pharoah

Sep 29, 2018 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Game Winner continued his ascent as the West Coast's leading Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful with a 4 1/2-length victory in Saturday's $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

Pressing the pace-setting Rowayton to the quarter pole, Game Winner soon got by that tiring rival and opened up to win convincingly under Joel Rosario. The 3-10 favorite paid $2.60 for owners Gary and Mary West and trainer Bob Baffert.

Not only did Game Winner earn 10 qualifying points for Kentucky Derby eligibility, but also earned an automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) as the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah was a 'Win & You're In' Breeders' Cup Challenge race.

Gunmetal Gray finished second, one length ahead of Rowayton. Jefe and Sigalert completed the order of finish. Gunmetal Gray earned four Derby qualifying points, Jefe two, and Sigalert one.

Game Winner remains undefeated through three starts with earnings of $396,000. He captured his August 18 debut at Del Mar by 5 3/4 lengths, then beat Rowayton 1 3/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Del Mar Futurity (G1) on September 3.

'This horse tipped us off this summer that he was going to be a good one,' Baffert said. 'He is strong and he still looks a little heavy. It’s exciting to have this horse.'

Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine and a $110,000 Keeneland September yearling, Game Winner is by Candy Ride and out of Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy. Game Winner's second dam is 2006 champion older mare Fleet Indian.