Last year, at the age of 16, First Dude’s progeny earnings reached $2,356,481. With 14 racing days left in 2023, the son of Stephen Got Even is less than $17,000 from $2.7 million.

    First Dude’s latest winner is Exonerated Prez, who carried Yan Aviles across the finish line a length in front in a one-mile race at Mahoning Valley. The 5-year-old gelding bred in Kentucky by Don Dizney stalked the early pace in second, then proved best in the lane, getting the distance on a ‘good’ track in 1:41.61. He paid $8.60 as his sire’s 42nd winner of 2023 and the check for $8,940 raised his earnings to $72,187 on a record of 4-5-7 in 47 starts.