It took Ruda more than two years to get to the races, and she didn’t make her debut until early as a 4-year-old in 2023. But the daughter of First Dude has more than made up for the inactivity, racking up a record of 4-1-2 in 11 starts last year, which included victories at Tampa Bay Downs, Monmouth Park and Saratoga, and adding another at Laurel Park on Sunday.

    In her latest, a $54,325 allowance optional claimer, the mare bred by Harvey Morris had Jonathan Ocasio in the irons going one mile over a muddy track after the race was taken off the turf. Ocasio had her tracking in third down the backstretch, about three lengths off the pace, then sent her wide into the turn and she outkicked 1/2 favorite Gold Digging Broad to the wire to win by a length in 1:39.17.

    With the winner’s check for $31,800, Ruda increased her two-year total to $165,885 and put herself in position to join First Dude’s rapidly growing $200,000 club in the near future. Her record is now 5-1-3 in 13 starts.