First Dude

First Dude Colt ‘Dominates’ at Monmouth Park

    For the second straight day, Monmouth Park track announcer Frank Mirahmadi was able to put a good spin on a son of First Dude who was in the process of annihilating his rivals in the stretch. On Saturday, it was Baby Ice ‘clobbering the field,’ yesterday it was 2-year-old Pretty Dude ‘who absolutely

Baby Ice ‘Clobbers the Field’ for 3rd Straight Victory

    Monmouth Park’s track announcer, Frank Mirahmadi, hit the nail right on the head as Baby Ice was drawing away from the field down the stretch in yesterday’s ninth race. “As Baby Ice absolutely clobbers the field,” was the way Mirahmadi described the runaway victory of the 7-year-old daughter of First Dude bred by

Ready to Runaway 2nd in $101,200 Princess Elaine On the Grass

    John Mentz claimed Ready to Runaway for $25,000 out of her fourth career race back on June 22 of 2019, and in his barn the Minnesota-bred mare has gone on to become the leading money-winner in the history of Canterbury Park.       Ready to Runaway made her 19th start for Mentz last

Improving Roan Mountain Nearing Century Mark

    Like so many of First Dude’s sons and daughters before him, Roan Mountain is getting better with age.     The 4-year-old gelding bred by Don Dizney came from out of left field to win at a mile and 70 yards at Parx Racing yesterday, and raised his record to 4-6-5 in 22

Wicked Stretch Run Wins for First Dude 3-Year-Old

After trying to come from behind in his first three starts and not getting the job done, Wicked Dude changed his tactics with new rider Erick Lopez, breaking his maiden at Delaware Park in a race that could qualify as “the game performance of the month.”  Lopez shot the 3-year-old First Dude gelding to the

Does First Dude Gelding Deserve a Name Change?

    The way Picking Up Pennies has been performing this year, trainer and co-owner Saffie Joseph Jr. and his partners in the 3-year-old son of First Dude may have to consider changing his name to Picking Up Dollars.     With Edgard Zayas riding, Picking Up Pennies went wire-to-wire going six furlongs at Gulfstream

Baby Ice, Fulton Street Move First Dude Up to 2nd on Sire List

    First Dude has regained the second spot on Florida’s leading sire list, thanks to two sharp performances by the 7-year-old mare Baby Ice at Monmouth Park and the 2-year-old colt Fulton Street at Gulfstream Park.     Baby Ice won her second straight and paid $9.60, collecting a check for $16,800. The 2-year-old

First Dude Filly’s Owner Was Seeking a Winner; Seeking Violet Was It

    If racing was seeking a poster girl for the old adage, “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again,” they might have found her last evening at Presque Isle Downs. The aptly-named Seeking Violet, a 4-year-old daughter of First Dude, finally broke her maiden – in her 19th career start.    

Ready to Runaway and Canterbury Park – A Formidable Duo

    Canterbury Park’s all-time money leader, Ready to Runaway, added $30,000 to her bank account last evening, winning the $55,000 Glitter Star Stakes for the third year in a row.      There’s little to be said about the 5-year-old Minnesota-bred First Dude mare that hasn’t been said many times before. She’s now 12-5-3

First Homestead Loves New Home at Finger Lakes

    First Homestead left Tampa Bay Downs in April as the meeting was coming to a close, re-emerging at Finger Lakes on May 17. The 4-year-old gelding scored his third career victory that day under Reylu Gutierrez and was claimed by owner/trainer Rafael Jose Rohena, who has since taken the son of First Dude