After My Lil Dude’s tenacious victory at Evangeline Downs last evening, First Dude is on the doorstep of surpassing $25 million in progeny earnings, and it could happen in the next day or two.

    With veteran Tommy Pompell aboard, the 3-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding fought on the lead every step of the way in the race at one mile on the grass, then gamely held off six challengers nearing the wire, winning by half a length in 1:38.95. The gelding bred by Lisa Cheramie Rousse became winner No. 35 for First Dude in 2023, and the check for $10,200 raised his earnings to $52,720 on a record of 2-1-1 in 8 starts. He paid $11.80.

First Dude heads into today’s races with lifetime progeny earnings of $24,985,718.