First Dude

The Prez is Exonerated

    It seems only fitting that on the day that Donald J. Trump was winning the 2024 presidential election, Exonerated Prez would finish second in a one-mile race at Mahoning Valley in the Republication state of Ohio, and the stewards would disqualify the winner and put up Exonerated Prez’s number.     The 6-year-old

Fivefive Six Champ Remains Perfect at Mahoning Valley

      Fivefive Six Champ went winless for the first 11 races of his career. But, after his latest score at Mahoning Valley, the 5-year-old First Dude gelding has visited the winners’ circle in nine of his last 17.      Erik Barbaran was in the irons for Fivefive Six Champ’s ninth score, in

Sweet Nola Scores at Presque Isle and Returns a Sweet $63.40

    Sweet Nola pulled the old ‘last to first’ routine under Scott Spieth in a race at a mile and 70 yards over the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs.  Spieth had the 4-year-old First Dude filly in eighth place down the backstretch, about eight lengths off the pace, and she began to move

Orange Theory Back in the Winning Business

    It took Orange Theory until her ninth start of 2024 to get her first victory of the season, but when she struck Saturday at Canada’s Century Downs, it turned out to be one of her best career performances.     The 6-year-old daughter of First Dude was ridden by Rafael Zenteno Jr., who

Late-Starting Ruda Now Approaching $200,000

    It took Ruda more than two years to get to the races, and she didn’t make her debut until early as a 4-year-old in 2023. But the daughter of First Dude has more than made up for the inactivity, racking up a record of 4-1-2 in 11 starts last year, which included victories

This Dude a Breeze Romps at Woodbine, and Gets to Go Home

    Last December 3rd, longtime owner/breeder Bruno Schickedanz lost the about-to-turn 4-year-old This Dude a Breeze in a claiming race for $40,000. In his new barn, the First Dude gelding rolled up a record of 3-1-1 in eight starts, including a 6 1/2-length beauty at Woodbine on Friday under Rafael Hernandez.     With

Charlie’s Wish Wins $100,000 Ginger Punch at Gulfstream Park

    Charlie’s Wish continued her ascent up the First Dude $200,000 ladder yesterday with a convincing victory in the $100,000 Ginger Punch Stakes at Gulfstream Park.     The 4-year-old filly bred by Three Gin Guys Stable came from off the pace under Miguel Vasquez and scored by 2 1/2 widening lengths, earning a

Channah Del Mar Breaks Her Maiden in Indiana

    In five starts as a 2-year-old at Horseshoe Indianapolis, the best Channah Del Mar could muster up was three fourth-place finishes and two fifths. After a five-month vacation, the 3-year-old Indiana-bred First Dude filly returned and finished third twice and second three times before finally breaking her maiden in start No. 11.  

Fivefive Six Champ Peaking at the Age of 5

    In his first start of this year at Mahoning Valley, the 19th race of his career, Fivefive Six Champ cruised home by eight lengths and received his best Equibase ‘E’ speed figure – a 101. At Mountain Resort and Casino last night he won by 4 1/2 lengths in his 27th start and

Like Ol’ Man River, Petulant Delight Just Keeps Rolling Along

    Like so many of First Dude’s runners before him, Petulant Delight doesn’t compete at the levels that he once did, but at the ripe old age of nine, he still continues to make his presence felt in his current company.     In the fourth race at Parx yesterday, a six-furlong test with