El Zopilote is the Spanish term for ‘The Vulture,’ and the son of First Dude with the same name all but picked his rivals clean in his maiden-breaking victory at Colonial Downs yesterday.

With Reylu Gutierrez riding, the 3-year-old colt bred by Red Oak Stable broke fourth in the six-furlong race, stalked the three leaders down the backstretch, went after them four wide on the turn and left them gasping for breath down the stretch. With Gutierrez sitting chilly in mid-track, El Zopilote cruised to the wire nine lengths in front, clocked in a quick 1:10.20 and paying $4.40 as favorite.

After six uneventful tries at Gulfstream Park that resulted in just one third-place finish, the $8,000 OBS Winter purchase in 2019 collected a check for $16,800 and earned his highest-ever ‘E’ speed figure from Equibase, a 72. He became the 42nd winner for First Dude this year, two behind Khozan among all Florida’s sires.