Fivefive Six Champ went winless for the first 11 races of his career. But, after his latest score at Mahoning Valley, the 5-year-old First Dude gelding has visited the winners’ circle in nine of his last 17. 

    Erik Barbaran was in the irons for Fivefive Six Champ’s ninth score, in a $30,300 allowance optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs. The gelding bred by Tom McCrocklin, a $165,000 OBS March 2-year-old, jumped out to the lead out of the gate, dropped back to second briefly going to the first quarter in :21.75, moved back to the lead on the turn and drew off with ease to win by nearly four lengths, clocked in 1:04.72.

    Fivefive Six Champ paid $6.60 for his second straight victory and collected a check for $18,786, raising his career earnings to $162,972, of which $109,952 has come in 2024. He received an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 102, and is now a perfect 5-for-5 at Mahoning Valley.