Gaitana is a holdover from First Dude’s initial crop, which reached the races in 2015. The 8-year-old mare was bred by Jose Carro in Puerto Rico, and has campaigned at Camarero Race Track for every one of her 62 starts.

If she had run elsewhere, no doubt Gaitana’s earnings would be a great deal higher than the $69,949 she has banked based on her outstanding record of 14 victories, nine seconds, eight thirds and nine fourths .

Her latest victory earlier this week gave First Dude 11 winners for the year and left him just three away from reaching 700 winning races in his stud career. Gaitana went right to the lead out of the gate in the 6 1/2-furlong race, was in front at every call until being headed by two rivals in the stretch, then fought back and prevailed by a head at the wire. She paid $18.90 and earned a check for $3,480.