Bella Dudette gave First Dude his 53rd winner of 2021 and moved her sire to within $66,000 of the $2 million mark in progeny earnings with a game victory in a one-mile race at Thistledown yesterday. 

    With Samuel Jiminez in the saddle, the 6-year-old Kentucky-bred mare broke well from the rail, but was allowed to settle near the rear of the small field. Midway down the backstretch, Jiminez gave Bella Dudette the ‘go’ signal, and she began to cruise toward the lead, joined on her inside by 3-1 shot Blazing Zenna. The duo entered the stretch nose-to-nose, and after a heated battle, Bella Dudette proved best, winning by 1 1/4 lengths.

    Bella Dudette paid $11.40 and earned a check for $7,380, increasing her total to $143,851 on a record of 6-5-5 in 48 starts.