First Dude is another step closer to his next two career milestones after the victory of Bernie’s Mitts in a $54,800 allowance optional claimer at Parx Racing. The stallion by Stephen Got Even is now less than $57,000 away from reaching $28 million in lifetime progeny earnings, and he’s just five away from 3,000 top three finishes by his runners.

    Luis Rivera took Bernie’s Mitts wire-to-wire over a muddy track in 1:18.32 for 6 1/2 furlongs, passing the markers in :22.29, :45.62 and 1:11.33 en route to a 1 1/2-length score. The 4-year-old gelding paid $18.60 and collected $30,000 for the victory, increasing his eight-race total (2-1-2) to $65,300.