Published:
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
There were only two racetracks open across the continent yesterday, but Double Diamond-bred Ohtani used the day to move First Dude to within $3,000 of hitting the $17 million mark in lifetime progeny earnings.
The 4-year-old gelding became his sire's sixth repeat winner of 2020, best of all Florida stallions, with a smart victory at Fonner Park in Nebraska. With Jake Olesiak contributing a picture-perfect ride, Ohtani broke sharply from the No. 8 post in the 6 1/2-furlong race and settled into third down the backstretch. Olesiak sent him up on the outside on the turn and Ohtani shot into the lead as they headed down the stretch. In the final 100 yards, Olesiak didn't hit the panic button as Panic Button closed with a rush, and Ohtani held on to win by a neck for his third career victory. He paid $6.20.