Game Winner does it easy in Los Alamitos Derby (G3)

Game Winner had no trouble finding the winner’s circle for Saturday’s $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G3), cruising to a five-length score and setting himself up for a start in next month’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.

Facing just three opponents, Game Winner sat just behind the top pair before taking over in upper stretch and drawing away easily in the final furlong of the 1 1/8-mile affair.

“I think this was a perfect race for him,” trainer Bob Baffert commented. AI put the blinkers back on him because I wanted him to get a little bit more focused leaving the gate and into the race a little bit more. I love the way he finished the last eighth of a mile. I told (jockey Joel Rosario) to give him an easy out, but try to get something out of the race and have a little foundation.” 

Undefeated on his way to champion 2-year-old honors, Game Winner was nosed out in both the Rebel S. (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1) before a very rough trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is now 5-2-0 in eight starts and has earned just over $2 million for Gary and Mary West.