With two racing days left on the 2021 schedule, First Dude is solidly in third place on Florida’s leading sire list with progeny earnings of more than $2.3 million, making it five consecutive years in the top four for the son of Stephen Got Even.

    Bella Dudette is First Dude’s latest winner, scoring an eye-opening victory yesterday in the slop at Mahoning Valley in which the about-to-become 7-year-old mare appeared to have little chance at the top of the stretch in the race at a mile and 70 yards.

    Samuel Jiminez broke the Kentucky-bred mare quickly from the six post in the six-horse field, but after racing wide into the first turn, she found herself dead last starting down the backstretch. She remained last around the final turn, and Jiminez swung Bella Dudette eight wide for the run down the stretch. She didn’t appear to be making up any of her 7-length deficit early in the lane, but she switched into another gear passing the eighth pole and mowed down the other five, winning by 1 3/4 lengths with her rider standing in the irons. 

    Bella Dudette paid $21.20, earned a check for $12,240, and raised her total to $160,954 on a record of 7-6-6 in 54 starts. For her second victory of 2021, she received an “E” speed figure from Equibase of 85, her highest ever.