In a thrilling edition of the grade III Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs, First Dude rallied strongly in the final strides to nab Regal Ransom in the shadow of the wire.
Under Martin Garcia, the four-year-old colt settled into fourth on the outside in the early going as Wise Dan set a moderate pace of :23.56 and :47.49. Regal Ransom was tracking him in second, with Equestrio and Mission Impazible not far behind either.
Turning into the homestretch Regal Ransom moved up to confront Wise Dan and took the lead. Caracortado was rallying strongly along the inside, and Equestrio was coming on as well. First Dude was grinding away on the far outside, and even eight-year-old veteran Awesome Gem was in the mix. Giant Oak was closing on the outside, but not quickly enough.
Regal Ransom looked like the winner a few yards from the wire, but First Dude closed in to win by a very short nose, earning his first stakes victory. The final time was 1:42.56.
Regal Ransom held second over Equestrio, with Awesome Gem getting up despite some stretch traffic for fourth. Caracortado, who loomed a serious threat in deep stretch, flattened out late, as did Wise Dan.
-Keelerman
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