Dudes Sweet Bet, a homebred daughter of Dudes The Man, fought off all challengers on her way to another victory in the $19,000 featured Filly & Mare Open Pace on Saturday, April 29.
While Cyclone Seelster (Billy Davis Jr.) got the jump on the field and made the lead heading into the first turn, Dudes Sweet Bet and driver Chris Lems wasted no time challenging the leader clearing before a quarter in :26.4.
By the stands for the first time, the outer flow began to develop with Mystical Virgin (Kurt Sugg), Tiny Bit Of Sky (James Day, and Coastal (Ron Burke) lining up to take a shot at Dudes Sweet Bet, getting to the half in :55.2.
Getting to three-quarters in 1:23.3, Tiny Bit Of Sky tipped off cover three-wide around Mystical Virgin, giving Dudes Sweet Bet her first real challenge of the race as the pace quickened. Into the final turn, Lems continued to drive Dudes Sweet Bet confidently, as the mare looked strong on the lead fending off all pursuers.
Through the stretch, Davis pulled Cyclone Seelster into the passing lane but couldn’t work past Dudes Sweet Bet, who dug in again to win by a head in 1:52.2. Diamondtequilashot (Luke Ebersole) closed in between horses to finish third, while favourite Blue Ivy (Aaron Merriman) rallied to be fourth.
Owned and bred by driver Chris Lems and trained by Jordan Hope, the four-year-old has $265,982 in career earnings, with 11 victories in 32 starts. Dudes Sweet Bet was also bred by the Triple C Stables LLC.
Live harness racing resumes on Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
(Northfield Park; Photo of Dudes Sweet Bet winning last month at Northfield)