Sweet Nola’s sensational 2025 season continued for owner/trainer Juan Arriagada at Presque Isle Downs on Tuesday, with Antonio Gallardo guiding the 5-year-old First Dude mare to a three-quarters of a length victory in a $29,000 starter optional claimer at one mile and 70 yards over the all-weather surface.
Gallardo took Sweet Nola out quickly from the No. 6 post, and she stalked the early pace from the two path. From there, the mare bred by Frank Mermenstein and Tom McCrocklin surged into the lead turning for home and held it to the finish, clocked in 1:43.05.
The check for $17,400 increased Sweet Nola’s lifetime earnings to $179,904 and she’s on pace to join First Dude’s $200,000 club in the near future. She raised her record to 9-7-1 in 31 starts, paid $6.20, and is an eye-catching 6-2-0 in her last eight.