First Dude has few runners who were bred in Maryland. One is Gio Sammy, bred by Ocala’s Best A Luck Farm.

    The 4-year-old gelding won at Mahoning Valley yesterday, and has now been in the money 20 times, registering a record of 6-6-8 in 33 starts. Campaigning at venues with low purse structures, he has earned just $76,128 despite his formidable record, with $42,200 of his total coming this year.

    Fernando Salazar-Becerra was aboard Gio Sammy for his third victory of 2022 and he settled the gelding into a close-up sixth down the backstretch in the race at six furlongs. They went up three wide for the run around the turn, and Gio Sammy had the most gas in the stretch, drawing off from 7/5 favorite Keyed On Top to win by two lengths. He paid $10 after reaching the wire in 1:13.23.