Happyisashappydoes went wire-to-wire yesterday in his second start over the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs with Pablo Morales aboard, giving First Dude his 37th winner of 2023.

    The 3-year-old gelding had finished second in his Aug. 21 debut after two bullet morning trials, four furlongs in :46.20 and five furlongs in :59 seconds flat.

    Morales put Happyisashappydoes on the lead in the $30,000 maiden special and the gelding put up fractions of :22.84, :46.20 and :58.08 en route to a 5 1/4-length victory in 1:09.96 for the six furlongs. He paid $5.60 as second choice and received a check for $18,000, increasing his two-race bank account to $24,000 for owner and co-breeder Linda Martinez.