First Dude and Brethren have been battling back and forth for the second spot on Florida’s leading sire list for months and the Double Diamond stallion opened a little daylight on his foe yesterday with a pair of winners up north. With progeny earnings of $2,086,434, First Dude’s lead increased to nearly $32,000.

At Parx Racing near Philadelphia, Petulant Delight made it two victories in a row with a game performance in a $22,000 starter allowance at a flat mile. Dexter Haddock was aboard the 5-year-old gelding, who was a $37,000 OBS April 2-year-old. Petulant Delight vied for the lead while two wide for much of the trip before sticking his neck in front on the final turn, then out-gaming rivals on both sides to the wire and winning by three-quarters of a length. The gelding bred by Ocala Stud paid $16.40 and earned a check for $13,200, raising his career total to $132,205 on a record of 6-5-4 in 26 starts, 24 of those races coming at Parx.

In West Virginia, Romantic Jewel broke her maiden at Mountaineer Casino & Resort in her fourth try, with Luciano Hernandez in the saddle. The 3-year-old filly pressed the pace throughout the six-furlong trip, shook clear in upper stretch, opened up a five-length lead at the eighth pole and increased it to eight at the wire, paying $3.80 as favorite. The filly bred by Steve and Bryan Tucker didn’t make her initial start until two months ago, and became winner No. 63 this year for First Dude. The son of Stephen Got Even is going to be an easy winner in that category among Florida stallions with only three weeks remaining in the year.