bernie

Island Magic Wins, Finds Fame Is Fleeting

No matter what transpires for the rest of her racing career, Island Magic will always have the distinction of having a track record listed on her resume, although it may be for the shortest reign in history. The 3-year-old daughter of Bahamian Squall entered the gate at 1:29 yesterday for the third race at Gulfstream

Orange Theory a Boon for Cancer-Stricken Owner/Trainer

    At the 2019 OBS October yearling sale, Shelley Brown purchased Orange Theory for a bargain $3,000. The 48-year-old Canadian has been able to hang onto the 3-year-old First Dude filly through all of her 18 races, and last night, at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino in Alberta, Orange Theory won for her cancer-stricken

A Surface Switch, and Roan Mountain Breaks $100,000

    When Mark Schwartz claimed Roan Mountain out of his last start at Parx Racing on Sept. 28, the 4-year-old First Dude gelding was on an in-the-money streak, with a record of 2-4-2-1 in his previous 10 tries. During the streak, Roan Mountain had posted his best-ever Equibase ‘E’ speed figure – a 95

Steel City Dude Moves Way Up on Main Track

First Dude’s winners often come in bunches, and when Steel City Dude became his 56th winner of 2021 yesterday at Gulfstream Park, it marked the seventh winner’s circle visit for the stallion’s runners in the span of 11 days. Despite a series of solid morning trials, the 2-year-old gelding owned and bred by J. J.

Miss Star Lo Loves to Compete at Parx

    Miss Star Lo is unique among the thousands of  thoroughbred runners competing in 2021. The 7-year-old mare by First Dude has raced 50 times in her long career, and every start has come at Parx Racing.     No. 50 came yesterday and her cake-walk victory raised her record to 8-6-6, while the

Stretch Runner and Erin Walker Are On Fire

    Stretch Runner and jockey Erin Walker have become a formidable duo at Presque Isle Downs. The talented rider and the 4-year-old Bahamian Squall gelding have teamed up for three victories in four starts since Stretch Runner left Tampa Bay Downs without breaking his maiden after four tries.      Last night’s victory was

First Dude Triples at Belmont Park and Gulfstream

    In the span of a little less than two hours yesterday, First Dude emulated the Major League baseball playoffs with an impressive triple of his own – one winner at Belmont Park and a back-to-back pair at Gulfstream.     The heroics staged by a 2-year-old filly and two 3-year-old geldings blasted First

Bella Dudette Pushes First Dude Toward $2 Million

    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,

All-Weather Surface Suits First Dude Gelding

    After three so-so efforts over the main track at Tampa Bay Downs, and one on the grass, Stretch Runner has finally lived up to his name after discovering the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs. The 4-year-old son of First Dude made it two victories in three starts at the Pennsylvania track yesterday,

Orange Theory Wins by DQ in Canada; First Dude Passes $1.9 Million

It happened long after midnight in most of North America, but First Dude gained winner No. 52 for 2021, at the same time surpassing the $1.9 million mark in progeny earnings.  Orange Theory, a 3-year-old filly, scored her first victory of the year after finishing second at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino in Edmonton, Alberta,