Number One Dude stays perfect against statebreds in Will Rogers Stakes
Number One Dude remained unbeaten against Oklahoma-breds on Tuesday at Will Rogers Downs, where he darted to a 5 1/4-length win over You’reobadboy in the $55,000 Will Rogers Stakes. It was another five lengths back in third to Just Chillin.
Number One Dude is now 4 for 4 against Oklahoma-breds. He was moving back into those ranks Tuesday after finishing fifth in a mile allowance at Lone Star Park won by Rightandjust, who is set to run back Monday in that track’s $300,000 Texas Derby. The Will Rogers Stakes was for 3-year-olds bred in Oklahoma.
Number One Dude ($3.20) on Tuesday tracked pacesetter Just Chillin in second through fractions of 23.63 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.14 for the half-mile, and 1:11.57 for six furlongs. Number One Dude drew even with the leader coming into the stretch and went on to cover the distance on a track rated fast in 1:37.43.
Leandro Goncalves was aboard Number One Dude for trainer Kari Craddock. It was the second stakes win in two days for the team, as they captured the $55,000 Cinema on Monday at Will Rogers with Gotta See Red.
There was an inquiry into the start of the Will Rogers Stakes after Euroexit unseated jockey Ronald Richard. The rider walked off, according to multiple sources, and the horse was picked up by an outrider and brought back to be unsaddled. Euroexit was declared a starter.
Number One Dude is a son of American Lion who races for his breeder, Terry Westemeir. Tuesday was his third stakes win. He had previously won the $100,000 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile in October and the $75,000 Don C. McNeill in November, both at Remington Park.