Game Winner
{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{About|the American racehorse|other uses of "Game winner"|Winner (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Game Winner
| image_name = DSC 2942GameWinnerBCJ.jpg
| caption = Game Winner at the 2018 Breeders' Cup
| sire = Candy Ride (ARG)
| grandsire = Ride the Rails
| dam =Indyan Giving
| damsire =A.P. Indy
| sex = Colt
| foaled = March 6, 2016
| country = United States
| colour = Bay
| breeder = Summer Wind Equine
| owner =Gary and Mary West
| trainer = Bob Baffert
| record = 8: 5-2-0
| earnings = $2,027,500{{cite web |title=Equibase Profile |url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=10059237®istry=T&rbt=TB |website=www.equibase.com |accessdate=17 March 2019}}
| race =Del Mar Futurity (2018)
American Pharoah Stakes (2018)
Los Alamitos Derby (2019)
Breeders' Cup wins:
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2018)
| awards =
| updated = July 14, 2019
}}
Game Winner (foaled March 6, 2016) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the champion two-year-old colt of 2018. He was undefeated in four starts at age two, including wins in the Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He started his three-year-old campaign with second-place finishes in both the Rebel Stakes and Santa Anita Derby before finishing fifth in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. After a brief layoff, he returned in July to win the Los Alamitos Derby.
Background
Game Winner is a bay colt who was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, owned by Jane Lyon. His sire Candy Ride was undefeated in seven starts in Argentina and the United States, and has had growing success as a breeding stallion. Candy Ride's most successful offspring include Horse of the Year Gun Runner and champion Shared Belief.{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Eric |title=The Rise of Candy Ride |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/225596/the-rise-of-candy-ride |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=17 November 2018 |language=en}} Game Winner's dam Indyan Giving was an unraced daughter of leading sire A.P. Indy, out of champion older mare Fleet Indian.{{cite web |title=Baffert Unleashes Another Rising Star at Del Mar |url=http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/baffert-unleashes-another-rising-star-at-del-mar/ |website=www.thoroughbreddailynews.com |accessdate=17 November 2018 |language=en}} The family traces back to influential broodmare La Troienne. Indyan Giving died due to colic just three months after foaling Game Winner.{{cite web |title=Tales from the Crib: Game Winner |url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/tales-from-the-crib-game-winner |website=www.kentuckyderby.com |accessdate=2 May 2019}}
Game Winner was purchased as a yearling for $110,000, a relative bargain considering his breeding, at the Keeneland 2017 September Sales by Gary and Mary West. He failed to attract much attention at the sale due to a problem with one of his feet, since corrected by shoeing. He is trained by Bob Baffert.
Racing career
=2018: two-year-old season=
Game Winner earned a "Rising Star" designation from the Thoroughbred Daily News for his performance in his first start on August 18, 2018 at Del Mar, a six-furlong maiden special weight race. Drawing the outside post position in a field of nine, he was carried wide around the turn while contesting the early pace. He assumed the lead around as they entered the stretch and continued to draw away, winning by {{frac|5|3|4}} lengths.
Just 16 days later, Game Winner made his graded stakes debut in the Del Mar Futurity on September 3, run over a distance of seven furlongs. He was the 8-5 second choice in the field of six, in which the favorite, Roadster, was also trained by Baffert. The two stablemates rated five lengths behind the fast early pace set by Rowayton, then made their move on the final turn. Roadster could not match Game Winner's acceleration and finished third, while Game Winner pulled by Rowayton in the final furlong to win by {{frac|1|1|2}} lengths. Baffert commented, "I knew coming in that (Game Winner) was coming back a little quick, but he's a big, strong, heavy horse, and I knew he could handle it. I'd rather run him again than keep working him."{{cite web |title=Baffert Scores 14th Del Mar Futurity With Game Winner |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/229377/baffert-scores-14th-del-mar-futurity-with-game-winner |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=17 November 2018 |language=en}}
Game Winner made his next start in the American Pharoah Stakes on September 29, going off as the 3-10 favorite in a field of five. He pressed the early pace set by Rowayton, then moved to the lead around the far turn and pulled away in the final furlong for a {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths. It was Baffert's eighth win in the race formerly known as the FrontRunner Stakes, and renamed for Baffert's Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. "[Game Winner] tipped us off this summer that he was going to be a good one. He is strong and he still looks a little heavy," said Baffert. "I don't plan to do too much with him before the Breeders' Cup. The good ones get there. I was very happy to win the first American Pharoah. Pretty cool and nice of Santa Anita to name a race after him. We had the same groom on this horse as American Pharoah [Eduardo Luna]."{{cite web |title=Candy Ride's Game Winner Stays Unbeaten in American Pharoah |url=https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/candy-rides-game-winner-stays-unbeaten-in-american-pharoah/ |website=www.thoroughbreddailynews.com |accessdate=18 November 2018 |language=en}}
The win established Game Winner as an early favorite for the 2019 Kentucky Derby. Sportswriter Steve Haskins cited the colt's flexible running style (having won from both on and off the pace), superior breeding and Baffert's recent successes with Arrogate and Justify in addition to American Pharoah.{{cite web |title=Is the Derby Winner in This Year's Juvenile? |last1=Haskins| first1=Steve| url=http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2018/10/24/is-the-derby-winner-in-this-year-s-juvenile.aspx |website=cs.bloodhorse.com |accessdate=19 November 2018 |language=en}}
Fourteen horses were entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on November 2, held in 2018 at Churchill Downs. However, the highly regarded Code of Honor was scratched after developing a fever, leaving thirteen to go to post with Game Winner as the even money favorite. Game Winner was bumped at the start, then settled in mid-pack while being carried wide around the first turn. He continued to race wide down the backstretch, then started his move on the final turn. Meanwhile, longshot Knicks Go pressed the early pace and moved to the lead at the head of the stretch. Game Winner gradually made up ground despite bumping with Knicks Go in midstretch, and pulled away late to win by {{frac|2|1|4}} lengths. "He broke fine, but it looked like they took my spot, and I had to go wide," said jockey Joel Rosario. "He seemed like he didn't mind that. He was comfortable. That's why we got him moving at that point, instead of getting inside and taking back. Turning for home, the more I rode him, the more he gave it to me."{{cite web |last1=Wincze Hughes |first1=Alicia |title=Game Winner Prevails in Breeders' Cup Juvenile |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/230490/game-winner-prevails-in-breeders-cup-juvenile |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=19 November 2018 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Game Winner takes charge late to win Breeders Cup Juvenile |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2018/11/02/game-winner-takes-charge-late-to-win-breeders-cup-juvenile/38374289/ |website=USA TODAY |accessdate=19 November 2018 |language=en}}
=2019: three-year-old campaign=
Game Winner was supposed to make his three-year-old debut in the San Felipe Stakes on March 9, 2019, but that race was cancelled due to the temporary closure of Santa Anita. Instead, he was shipped to Oaklawn Park for the Rebel Stakes a week later. Due to the large number of entries, the Rebel was split into two races, with Game Winner going off as the favorite in the second division. At the break, he bumped with Jersey Agenda to his inside and fell back to sixth place. Down the backstretch, he remained in sixth but was just over three lengths behind the pacesetter, Omaha Beach. Around the final turn, Game Winner commenced his drive and moved into second while racing four wide. Omaha Beach re-opened a two-length advantage in mid-stretch, but Game Winner then started closing again. Omaha Beach fought back and won by a nose despite being bumped by Game Winner near the wire.{{cite web |last1=Privman |first1=Jay |title=Omaha Beach outruns Game Winner in Rebel division 2 |url=https://www.drf.com/news/preview/omaha-beach-outruns-game-winner-rebel-division-2?type= |website=www.drf.com |accessdate=17 March 2019 |language=en}}
On April 6, shortly after Santa Anita was re-opened for racing, Game Winner entered the Santa Anita Derby. He went off as the favorite in a field of six, with the second choice being stablemate Roadster. Game Winner raced four-wide around the first turn and backstretch, he started his move on the far turn while racing three wide. He briefly moved to the lead in mid-stretch but could not match the closing kick of Roadster, who had saved ground along the rail throughout the race. Game Winner finished second, beaten by half a length.{{cite web |last1=Daugherty |first1=Meredith |title=Roadster Rallies to Santa Anita Derby Score |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/232964/roadster-rallies-to-santa-anita-derby-score |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=2 May 2019 |language=en}}
"At the eighth pole, I knew I was going to win — I just didn't know which one," said Baffert. "We've just got to keep them happy and healthy, enjoy the ride, the moment. It's hard to get to this moment. There's not a better feeling than there was today."
In the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Game Winner went off as one of the favorites in a field of nineteen. However, he was bumped shortly after the start of the race and dropped far behind the early leaders. Racing wide around both turns, he made a strong run to finish sixth. He was subsequently promoted to fifth place after the disqualification of Maximum Security for interference with other horses.{{cite web |title=Chart of the 2019 Kentucky Derby |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=CD&raceDate=05/04/2019&cy=USA&rn=12 |website=www.equibase.com |accessdate=13 May 2019}}
Game Winner did not enter the 2019 Preakness Stakes, and in late May, Baffert ruled him out of running in the 2019 Belmont Stakes.{{cite news |url=https://www.hotsr.com/news/2019/may/26/baffert-game-winner-out-of-belmont-2019/ |title=Baffert: Game Winner out of Belmont |first=Bob |last=Wisener |website=hotsr.com |date=May 26, 2019 |accessdate=May 26, 2019}} It was later revealed the colt was suffering from a bad back, from which he was given some time off to recover. He returned to the racecourse on July 13 in the Los Alamitos Derby, winning by five lengths as the 1-20 favorite.{{cite web |title=Game Winner Tunes Up for Travers with Los Al Derby Win |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/234705/game-winner-tunes-up-for-travers-with-los-al-derby-win |website=BloodHorse.com |accessdate=14 July 2019 |language=en}}
Statistics
| class = "wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; width:90%" |
| scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Date
! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4" | Age ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Distance ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Race ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Grade ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Track ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Odds ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Field ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Finish ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Winning Time ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Winning ! scope="col" style="background:#dacaa4;" | Jockey ! scope="col" class="unsortable" style="background:#dacaa4;"| Ref |
|---|
| {{dts|2018|Aug|18}}
| 2 | {{ntsh|6}} 6 furlongs | Maiden Special Weight | {{ntsh|5}}Maiden | Del Mar | 1.90 | 9 | 1 | 1:11.21 | {{ntsh|5.75}}{{frac|5|3|4}} lengths | {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2018|Sep|3}}
| 2 | {{ntsh|7}} 7 furlongs | {{ntsh|1}}I | Del Mar | 1.60 | 6 | 1 | 1:23.18 | {{ntsh|1.5}}{{frac|1|1|2}} lengths | {{sortname|Mario|Gutierrez|Mario Gutierrez (jockey)}} |
| {{dts|2018|Sep|29}}
| 2 | {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles | {{ntsh|1}}I | 0.30* | 5 | 1 | 1:43.77 | {{ntsh|4.5}}{{frac|4|1|2}} lengths | {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2018|Nov|2}}
| 2 | {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles | {{ntsh|1}}I | 1.00* | 13 | 1 | 1:43.67 | {{ntsh|2.25}}{{frac|2|1|4}} lengths | {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2019|Mar|16}}
| 3 | {{ntsh|8.5}} {{frac|1|1|16}} miles | {{ntsh|2}}II | 0.50* | 10 | 2 | 1:42.42 | {{ntsh |
| .1}}(nose)
| {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2019|Apr|6}}
| 3 | {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles | {{ntsh|1}}I | Santa Anita | 0.50* | 6 | 2 | 1:51.28 | {{ntsh |
| .5}}({{frac|1|2}} length)
| {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2019|May|4}}
| 3 | {{ntsh|10}} {{frac|1|1|4}} miles | {{ntsh|1}}I | Churchill Downs | 6.80 | 19 | 5 | 2:03.93 | {{ntsh |
| 3.25}}({{frac|3|1|4}} lengths)
| {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
| {{dts|2019|Jul|13}}
| 3 | {{ntsh|9}} {{frac|1|1|8}} miles | {{ntsh|3}}III | Los Alamitos | 0.05 | 5 | 1 | 1:48.30 | {{ntsh|5}}5 lengths | {{sortname|Joel|Rosario}} |
An asterisk after the odds means Game Winner was the post-time favorite.
Stud career
In 2024 Game Winner stood for a stud fee of $20,000 at Lane's End near Versailles, Kentucky. His son Gaming won the Grade I Del Mar Futurity in 2024, an event Game Winner won as a juvenile.{{cite web |last1=Gantz |first1=Tracy |title=Gaming Comes on Strong to Conquer Del Mar Futurity Gaming was the longest shot of the Bob Baffert trio but proved much the best. |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/279563/gaming-comes-on-strong-to-conquer-del-mar-futurity |website=Bloodhorse.com |access-date=12 September 2024 |date=7 September 2024}}
=Notable progeny=
Pedigree
{{Pedigree
|f = Candy Ride (ARG)
1999 bay
|m = Indyan Giving
2009 dark bay
|ff =Ride the Rails
1991 dark bay
|fm = Candy Girl (ARG)
1990 chestnut
|mf = A.P. Indy
1989 dark bay
|mm = Fleet Indian
2001 dark bay
|fff = Cryptoclearance
|ffm = Herbalesian
|fmf = Candy Stripes
|fmm = City Girl
|mff = Seattle Slew
|mfm = Weekend Surprise
|mmf = Indian Charlie
|mmm = Hustleeta
|ffff = Fappiano
|fffm = Naval Orange
|ffmf = Herbager
|ffmm = Alanesian
|fmff = Blushing Groom (FR)
|fmfm = Bubble Company (FR)
|fmmf = Farnesio (ARG)
|fmmm = Cithara
|mfff = Bold Reasoning
|mffm = My Charmer
|mfmf = Secretariat
|mfmm = Lassie Dear
|mmff = In Excess (IRE)
|mmfm = Soviet Sojourn
|mmmf = Afleet
|mmmm = Bravo Native (family: 1-x)
}}