First Dude

Sweet Nola’s Winning Streak Soars to Five

On March 14, owner/trainer Juan Arriagada scored in a $10,000 claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs with his 5-year-old mare, Sweet Nola. She was entered for the $10,000 tag that day. Since then, the daughter of First Dude has gone on to run up a five-race winning streak in optional claimers at Tampa and Presque

Conrado Knows How to Win, But Not to Cash

If Conrado was campaigning at North America’s premier racetracks and rolled up the record he has, the 5-year-old gelding would already be a member of First Dude’s $200,000 club. However, after his maiden-breaking victory at Tampa Bay Downs, his next seven have come at Presque Isle Downs, Turf Paradise, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge, where the

Cindy’s Song Ships to Pennsylvania, Wins No. 6

With Mychal Sanchez in the irons, Cindy’s Song won for the first time away from Florida after she had five successful efforts at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. The 6-year-old daughter of First Dude scored career victory No. 6 going a flat mile at Parx Racing. Sanchez took the $95,000 OBS June purchase out

Sweet Nola Runs Winning Streak to 4

Nothing changed for Sweet Nola after she completed a three-race winning streak at Tampa Bay Downs and owner/trainer Juan Arriagada shipped her to Presque Isle. The 5-year-old mare by First Dude bred by Frank Mermenstein and Tom McCrocklin destroyed the field in her first try in Pennsylvania – winning by 8 1/2 lengths in a

From Exonerated to Rejuvenated

    Exonerated Prez is in the process of acquiring the nickname of ‘Rejuvenated Prez.’ The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred First Dude gelding has come off a drought of nearly seven months and won two in a row at Thistledown.     On March 27, the gelding bred by Don Dizney won by 2 1/2 lengths and

First Dude Gelding is Most Happy at Presque Isle

  Happyisashappydoes has won five times in his 19-race career and four of the victories have come at Presque Isle Downs. The 5-year-old First Dude gelding broke his maiden at the Pennsylvania track in 2023, added two in a row there last June, and made it four with a wire-to-wire score this week in a

On a Three-Race Winning Streak, Berks Nearing $400,000

    Berks is at it again. In 2023, the now 6-year-old First Dude gelding put together a four-race winning streak at Laurel Race Course and Delaware Park. On Sunday, his victory at Laurel stretched his current streak to three in a row, and moved him into 11th place on First Dude’s $200,000 list.  

It’s Not the Energizer Bunny; It’s Petulant Delight

    Petulant Delight is First Dude’s answer to the Energizer Bunny: he just keeps going and going. Just when it appeared as though the 10-year-old gelding was ready to call it a career (he was on an 11-race losing streak), he pops up at Parx Racing to win a 7-furlong race – and pays

First Dude Gelding Makes Impact on $200,000 List

    When First Dude’s $200,000 club list was first compiled, there were 17 entrants. It has continued to grow ever since, and red-hot Impacto has become the 32nd entry, moving onto the list as No. 30.     The 6-year-old gelding bred by Jose Manuel Contreras scored in near-record time in a six-furlong, $54,000

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