First Dude

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

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