Santa Anita: Gaming tries for better result Sunday in Affirmed

With a win in last year’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and promising runner-up effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Gaming was made one of three finalists for champion 2-year-old male of 2024, which ultimately was awarded to stablemate Citizen Bull.

Things have not gone as well as a 3-year-old for Gaming. In Sunday’s listed, $100,000 Affirmed Stakes for four sophomores going 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita, the Game Winner colt seeks his first win since the Del Mar Futurity.

In three starts this year, Gaming finished second to last in the Southwest (G3) in January, a well-beaten second in the Hot Springs Stakes in March at Oaklawn and a third-place finish in the Pat Day Mile (G2) on May 3.

In the Affirmed, Gaming is the 4-5 program favorite. He will be ridden by jockey Hector Berrios for the first time.

Nevada Beach will join his stablemate Gaming in the lineup for trainer Bob Baffert. By Omaha Beach, Nevada Beach came from slightly off the pace to score in his debut by a half-length going a mile April 19 at Santa Anita. Rank, the runner-up that day, also is in the Affirmed field.

Nevada Beach is 8-5 on the morning line and will be ridden for the second time by Juan Hernandez.

Westwood (9-2) for trainer John Shirreffs and maiden Rank (6-1) for trainer Doug O’Neill complete the field.

Westwood most recently was third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) when making his stakes debut April 5. Westwood was forwardly placed that day but in the latter stages could not keep up with winner Journalism and runner-up Baeza. By Authentic, Westwood will have regular rider Tiago Pereira aboard.

In his close loss to Nevada Beach, Rank set an uncontested pace before being overhauled late by the winner. It was Rank’s fifth runner-up finish in 12 starts. By Honor A. P., Rank will be ridden by Antonio Fresu.

The Affirmed goes third on the 10-race program with post time set for 5:05 p.m. EDT.