Undefeated Yaupon colt kicks off 2026 with victory in Swale S.

Solitude Dude led at every point of call in the $175,000 Swale S. run Saturday at Gulfstream Park, finishing under the wire an easy of a winner as the 3 ¾-length margin indicated.

Now with three wins in as many starts, the 3-year-old Yaupon colt won the Dec. 8 Inaugural S. at Tampa Bay Downs by eight lengths and broke his maiden by 9 ½-lengths at first asking on Nov. 1 at Gulfstream.

Showing his class from the outset, Solitude Dude shot to the front immediately and led a well bunched field through a half-mile of :46.52. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. asked his mount for more coming into the stretch, and he responded with zeal, galloping away from the pursuers and winning under a hand ride while gearing down under the wire.

Owned by Chris Fountoukis, Solitude Dude upped his bankroll to $176,070. Bred in Kentucky by Martha Buckner and Matthew Ernst, Solitude Dude is the first foal out of After the Party and comes from the same family as Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and Grade 1 winner Callback.

Yaupon, last year’s runaway leading First-Crop Sire, has accounted for seven individual winner in the new year. He is standing in 2026 for $60,000 S&N.