Berks has given First Dude his 17th winner of 2023 and moved his sire just two winners behind leader Khozan. 

    The 4-year-old Maryland-bred gelding owned and bred by Jagger Inc. boosted his record to 5-1-2 in 15 starts with his half-length victory under Jaime Rodriguez in a $36,440 six-furlong starter optional claimer at Laurel. He paid $18.40 and the check for $22,080 lifted his earnings to $159,030. Berks received his best ‘E’ speed figure of 99. 

    Rodriguez settled Berks into fourth place down the backstretch, about five lengths off the pacesetters. He moved the gelding wide coming into the stretch and Berks was up in the final strides to defeat 2-1 favorite Raminski, clocked in 1:10.27.