When Napa Dude won the third race at Mahoning Valley yesterday, it marked the 979th time a son or daughter of First Dude has visited a winners’ circle in the U. S. or abroad. The stallion by Stephen Got Even should hit No. 1,000 a few months into 2024. 

    Napa Dude was off eighth and last under Luis Gonzalez in the race at a flat mile at the Ohio track. He remained there for 4 1/2 furlongs, then unleashed a strong 5-wide run on the turn, and cruised down mid-track in the stretch, drawing clear by two lengths at the finish and joining the popular “from last to first” club. The 3-year-old gelding bred by Donald Dizney earned a check for $7,260 and lifted First Dude’s 2023 progeny earnings to within $15,000 of third place on Florida’s general sire list.