Tiz the Dude’s victory yesterday wasn’t quite as spectacular as Speedy Dudette’s 16-length score at Louisiana Downs the day before, but owner/trainer Rylee Grudzien isn’t going to complain after the First Dude colt’s seven-length beauty at Cajun country’s other track, Evangeline Downs.

With Diego Saenz aboard, Tiz the Dude battled for the lead through a quarter in :23.40 and a half in :47.12 before leaving his rivals behind at the top of the stretch and cruising home by daylight in 1:25.19 for the seven furlongs. The 3-year-old colt bred by Destiny Oaks of Ocala paid $3.80 as favorite, becoming First Dude’s 27th winner of 2021 and leaving him less than $10,000 from reaching the $700,000 mark in earnings for the year.