First Dude

Marin and Sweet Nola Make a Great Team

    Sam Marin has Sweet Nola on a roll at Tampa Bay Downs, and the daughter of First Dude has reached new heights at the age of five. She’s won her last three in a row, while recording the three best Equibase ‘E’ speed figures of her 26-race career.    Sweet Nola scored by

Exonerated Prez Lights Up the Board at Thistledown

    Under a beautifully timed ride from Yan Aviles, Exonerated Prez broke out of a prolonged slump and scored a major upset in a six-furlong test at Thistledown.     Sent off at odds of 25-1, the 7-year-old First Dude gelding bred in Kentucky by Donald Dizney sat a comfortable rail trip down the

It’s 3 in a Row for Zayas and Right Karma

    In his first five career starts in 2023, Right Karma’s best effort was one second-place finish; he then spent 18 months on the bench. But the 5-year-old son of First Dude bred by Best A Luck Farm has returned with a vengeance, finishing fourth, then second, and now with three straight victories under

Kirk Douglas Would Be Proud of Ferrer and Spartacus’s Dude

    In his first two starts, Spartacus’s Dude finished eighth and ninth with Marco Meneses and Sam Marin in the irons. In start No. 3, Jose Ferrer took over the reins on the 3-year-old colt, and although it took a little time, the son of First Dude broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs

Berks Goes Wire-to-Wire at Laurel for 13th Victory

    After taking a break of almost three months, Berks has returned with two victories in a row at Parx and Laurel for owner/breeder Jagger Inc., and now has 13 for his 32-race career.     The 6-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by First Dude had Jaime Rodriguez aboard in his latest at a mile and

First Dude Mare Wins 2nd Straight at Tampa Bay Downs

    Sweet Nola won a $24,000 starter optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs yesterday, making it two victories in the space of 12 days at the Oldsmar track for the 5-year-old mare by First Dude, who has now had seven winners in the last 21 days.     Samuel Marin was aboard Sweet Nola

First Dude Mare Reaches Century Mark

Naa Dudette surpassed the $100,000 mark in lifetime earnings with a light-up-the-board victory in a 1 1/16th-mile test at Tampa Bay Downs. The 5-year-old First Dude mare carried Jesus Suarez to a come-from-behind, 1 3/4-length score, paying $58 and getting the distance in 1:45.36. She collected a check of $12,100 for owner/trainer Thomas E. Waltre

Three in a Row for Neigh Dude at Parx

    Neigh Dude made it three victories in a row with another strong performance under Andy Hernandez at Parx Racing, and continued his climb up First Dude’s list of $200,000-plus earners.   The 6-year-old gelding bred by Porter Racing Stable won by 2 3/4 lengths in his latest and received an Equibase ‘E’ speed

First Dude 5-Year-Old’s 24th Race is Sweetest of All

    Sweet Nola raced 23 times prior to Friday, but for her the charm was No. 24.     The 5-year-old daughter of First Dude went wire-to-wire in a seven-furlong test at Tampa Bay Downs and registered her best Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 86. With Sam Marin in the irons, Sweet Nola paid

First Dude Gelding Cruises Up $200,000 List

    Time to Cruise jumped up four spots, from 23rd place to 19th, on First Dude’s $200,000 list with a hard-earned victory over favored Optic Way in a one-mile test at Parx Racing.      The 5-year-old Pennsylvania-bred gelding broke quickly from the No. 4 post with Mychel Sanchez and moved into second place