First Dude Racehorse Belmont Stakes Preview

First Dude
1-4-1, 7 Races

Notable Past Performances

Race
Preakness Stakes (G1)
Blue Grass (G1)
Florida Derby (G1)

Distance
1 3/16
1 1/8
1 1/8

Odds
23.80
9.20
13.80

Post
11
2
6

End Result
2
3
5

First Dude is a horse that has a lot of nice lines in his pedigree. Just as is the case with several other Triple Crown contenders, he has the great A.P. Indy and Seattle Slew in his extended lineage. However, his sire, Stephen Got Even, at least nearly cracked the board in the Preakness in the past, something that most of these colts can't say of their sires.

His speed ratings had been awfully slow, as First Dude had never done better than crack 90 in his career until the Preakness Stakes when he ran a blistering 101. Three of his best four times have come in his L/3 races at the Blue Grass, Florida Derby, and Preakness. As a pace setter, First Dude may have a chance to sneak out to the lead and stay there for awhile.

Stamina really hasn't been the issue for First Dude at 1 1/8 miles or a 1 3/16 miles, making the 1 1/2 miles seem like a very manageable task. However, this is going to be the shortest turnaround time that this horse has ever seen for a race. There is a question about how First Dude will react.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer Dale Romans are both relative unknowns on the Triple Crown level. Romans has entered four horses in Triple Crown races, including First Dude at Pimlico.

The value on First Dude was probably crushed after his fantastic finish at Pimlico, as he proved that he could not only get out to the lead, but keep in, hold off fellow competitors, and charge back if need be. From the exact same 11 post that he ran out of at Pimlico, keep a close eye on First Dude to hit the board once again at the Belmont, but the payoff won't be nearly as nice.