First Dude’s lead in the Florida sire winners’ race became insurmountable last night at a time when a great many people on the East Coast were already retired. First, Orange Theory made it 59 winners for the son of Stephen Got Even – at Canada’s Century Mile – then Much About It raised it to an even 60 – at Oklahoma’s Remington Park – and their winning races were accomplished in virtually the same way.

The pair of winners gave First Dude a lead of 10 over Brethren and 11 over Khozan, the only two stallions above him on Florida’s money-earnings list.

Orange Theory, a 2-year-old filly bred by William Sorren, broke her maiden in her seventh start with Stanley Chadee Jr. aboard. Sixth down the backstretch in the 5 1/2-furlong race, Orange Theory went five wide on the turn, made up five lengths from mid-stretch to the wire, and was up to win by a neck. She earned $8,400 Canadian, and $6,439 in U. S. funds.

Much About It enjoyed pretty much the same trip going seven furlongs just before midnight. The 5-year-old mare was off second but eased back to fifth on the backstretch. She went five wide on the turn to vie for the lead, and was easily best down the lane, winning by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:24.40. The mare bred by Steve Tucker raised her record to 5-3-2 in 24 starts and her earnings to $71,289.