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First Dude Gelding Wins 2nd Straight, Just Misses Track Record

    The Martinez triumvirate made it two straight wire-to-wire victories at Presque Isle Downs with the 4-year-old Happyisashappydoes, who posted an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 103 for the second time in 12 days. The First Dude gelding bred by Eddy R. and Linda Martinez, trained by Linda Martinez and ridden by Willie Martinez,

Surface Switch Was All First Dude Filly Needed

    After Nina’s Last Gift’s first three tries at Gulfstream Park produced a fourth, sixth and eighth, two of the races on the dirt and one on the turf, trainer Lazaro Alvarez inadvertently found the hole card for the daughter of First Dude. The 3-year-old filly’s fourth start was scheduled for one mile on

Happyisashappydoes: a Martinez Festival

    The fifth race at Presque Isle Downs yesterday was a $34,000 allowance optional claimer at a mile and 70 yards on the all-weather track. The winner in wire-to-wire fashion was Happyisashappydoes, a 4-year-old First Dude gelding making just his 11th start. The race turned out to be a Martinez Festival.     Happyisashappydoes

Neigh Dude Wins at Monmouth, This Dude a Breeze Goes Wire-to-Wire at Woodbine

    One of the biggest bargains in the First Dude arsenal – Neigh Dude – added to his luster with a one-length victory in a $20,800 starter allowance test at Monmouth Park.     The 5-year-old gelding bred by Porter Racing Stable was a mere $2,000 Timonium October yearling; his score in New Jersey

Spirit Wind Romps at 1/5 in Lone Star Stakes

     Bahamian Squall’s leading money-winner, Spirit Wind, was a mile the best in the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint Stakes at Lone Star Park, adding $59,100 to her growing bank account, which now stands at $447,790.     With Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard in the six-furlong test, the 5-year-old mare bred by Jacks

Naa Dudette Breaks Her Maiden with Monster Late Run

    “From last to first” is a popular term coined by U. S. announcers when a horse who trailed early comes roaring down the lane to get up and win. Gulfstream Park’s Pete Aiello put a new spin on the call when Naa Dudette rallied from out of the TV picture down the backstretch,

Foggy Note Wins for Streaking Bahamian Squall

    Over the years, the partnership of trainer Ron Spatz, attorney David Romanik and Ocala’s SCF Inc. (Southern Cross Farm – Dr. Robert and Belinda Kitos) has combined for many successes in South Florida. The triumvirate added another winner yesterday when Foggy Note won the third race at Gulfstream Park, a 5-furlong test over

Sparked by Dizney-breds, First Dude Is Off for His Next 1,000

    It took a little while for First Dude to get that elusive 1,000th winning ride last week, but only about 2 1/2 hours – at the same track – to start him on his second 1,000, compliments of Double Diamond’s owner, Don Dizney.     The first race at Thistledown on Thursday was

Long Layoff Works Well for He’s On the Fly

    After sitting on the bench for 6 1/2 months, He’s On the Fly returned at Presque Isle Downs and recorded the co-best Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of his 29-race career, an 85.     In a race at 5 1/2 furlongs over the all-weather track, the 7-year-old Bahamian Squall gelding jumped out to

Bingo! First Dude’s Runners Hit 1,000 Mark

    It took several days for the information to reach the U. S. shores, but First Dude’s sons and daughters have now won 1,000 races.      The milestone achievement came on May 14, when the 3-year-old colt Dude Sunrise scored in an allowance race in Japan. Out of the Big Drama mare Dramamina,