Riley’s Dude didn’t race as a 2-year-old in 2020, but in his first three races this year, the 3-year-old gelding primed himself for victory with a second and third at Tampa Bay Downs. That victory came in his fourth try yesterday at Delaware Park, where the son of First Dude broke his maiden and earned his best ‘E’ speed figure from Equibase – an 89.

Augusto Marin shot Riley’s Dude away from the gate and into the lead, and the gelding bred by the Jerome G. Bozzo Trust led through a quarter in :22.58, a half in :45.80 and five furlongs in :58.31. He opened up by three lengths at the top of the stretch, then held well to win by half a length in 1:10.64 for the three-quarters of a mile. He paid $16, collected a check for $22,800, and gave First Dude his 35th winner this season, one behind in his heated see-saw battle for that title with Khozan.

WINNER NO. 2 – It took Diego Saenz two unsuccessful tries at Delta Downs to get to know Tiz the Dude, but that all changed when they reunited at Evangeline. In three starts in Opelousas, Saenz has guided the 3-year-old colt to two victories and a second, including yesterday’s romp in a 7-furlong test over a track labeled ‘muddy.’

Saenz stalked the leader in second early with Tiz the Dude, stayed glued to the pace-setter’s flank into the turn, then “stepped on the gas” at the top of the stretch and scored by 5 3/4 widening lengths for his third career victory – two races back he won by 7. The $15,000 OBS October yearling was clocked in 1:24.61 and paid $6.40; he’s earned $27,995 and lifted First Dude closer to another million-dollar year at $922,366.