In his first two starts, Spartacus’s Dude finished eighth and ninth with Marco Meneses and Sam Marin in the irons. In start No. 3, Jose Ferrer took over the reins on the 3-year-old colt, and although it took a little time, the son of First Dude broke his maiden at Tampa Bay Downs looking like Silky Sullivan.

    The colt bred by Julie Jackson was off slowly in a race at one mile over the turf course, and at one time was about 12 lengths off the pace. But Ferrer revved him up coming to the turn and he inhaled rivals with a monster move so strong he was going for the lead as they hit the top of the stretch. From there, Spartacus’s Dude sprinted away and was widening as he hit the wire 3 1/2 lengths in front in a clocking of 1:36.48. His maiden-breaker was worth $11,720 to his owner and  $7.80 to his backers.

    Finally, he was claimed for $16,000 and his new barn would do well to stick with Jose Ferrer.