First Dude- Grade 1 winner

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

With all due respect to Dale Romans, Bob Baffert has done a very good job with First Dude. He has shed the "lumbering ox" type of running style which was used countless times to no avail. He clearly is comfortable sitting off the pace now, and even though he's very slow to get in stride, he's finishing unlike he did last year.

I have the impression that he's still a lumbering ox with no real turn of foot. Both his graded stakes wins were in blanket finishes (I think there was less than a length separating the 1st 6 home in the Churchill race).

Instead of the Pacific Classic, I'd love to see him in the Whitney. Nine furlongs and a solid pace should be enticing for his connections. Like last year's race, I think it would answer a lot of questions.