Despite being saddled with the No. 10 post and having to endure a wide trip throughout the entire 6 1/2 furlongs, Quana Dude rallied from off the pace and scored his fourth career victory last night at Delta Downs.

    The 6-year-old son of First Dude was off well but had to settle into sixth place down the backstretch while three wide. At one point Quana Dude was 10 lengths off the pace, but Elio Barrera switched him into cruise control coming to the turn, and the gelding inhaled the stalkers as they entered the stretch. With announcer Don Stevens bellowing “Hot Artie under pressure and is being engulfed by Quana Dude,” the gelding bred by Don Dizney coasted into the lead and drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths. 

    Quana Dude paid a juicy $30.80 and owner/trainer Juan Larrosa collected $8,400, which increased the gelding’s career total to $58,877. He became First Dude’s ninth winner of 2023 and victory No. 897 for the stallion’s career.