Sweet Nola became First Dude’s 22nd winner of 2024 yesterday, winning a mile and 70-yard test over the all-weather track at Presque Isle Downs under a confident ride by Scott Spieth.

    Sweet Nola was off fifth in the six-horse field, and Spieth was content to let her remain comfortably about five lengths off the pace down the backstretch. When he decided to let her out, the 4-year-old filly swung four wide on the turn, took the lead in the stretch, and was 1 1/4 lengths better than 3/2 favorite Indian Spideroo at the wire. The filly bred by Frank Mermenstein and Tom McCrocklin was clocked in 1:42.81; she paid $11.20 and collected a check for $7,800. Her record now is 2-4-1 in 16 tries with earnings of $45,444.