In one of the strangest finishes of all time, Main Dude became winner No. 25 for First Dude this year, but just how it happened in the first race at Louisiana Downs yesterday is a mystery to anyone watching the replay.

    Main Dude broke last in the race at 6 1/2 furlongs, while Star Ready took the early lead in the two path. With the rail open, Jose Guerrero shot Main Dude up alongside the 9-1 pacesetter, and the 3-year-old Louisiana-bred battled nose-to-nose with Star Ready all the way to the wire, with Star Ready getting the nod by a head.

    With the cameras focused on the winner’s circle, Star Ready never showed up for his picture, and not one of his entourage was waiting for him. The cameras then shifted over to the clerk of scales, where both jockeys and entourages were huddled, while the jocks talked to the stewards on the phone. After several minutes, the announcement came that there was an inquiry and an objection concerning the run to the wire. Unless you were watching in person yesterday, from the replay tape you never found out the circumstances. And Star Ready was disqualified with Main Dude elevated to first. 

    Watching the replay, it was impossible to see the supposed infraction, and the Equibase chartmakers let their opinions be known – there is no mention of the dq or how it occurred in the finished chart, only the big DQ next to Star Ready’s name. The line for Star Ready reads: “Set the early pace, battled gamely.” For Main Dude it says, “patiently stalked early, advanced along the rail through the bend, battled gamely.” No mention anywhere of a problem, no mention of a dq. Strange doesn’t begin to tell the story.

    Main Dude was “winning” for the first time. The $10,000 OBS October yearling bred by Lynne and Chris Boutte paid $6.00 and collected a check for $8,400. Hopefully, the chart will be updated in the near future.