Another odds drop, 25th winner for Handsome Mike

Somebody with a bulging wallet must really like runners by Handsome Mike. Two weeks ago, at Delaware Park, La Flamenca was 5-1 on the tote board going to the gate and when she crossed the finish line in front her odds had plummeted to 5/2.

At Evangeline Downs last night it was more of the same. The 4-year-old Handsome Mike filly Keep America Great was seeking her first victory in her fourth start in a five-furlong main track race that was originally scheduled for the turf. Diego Saenz hustled her out of the gate and she took the lead going to the first quarter, which she passed in :22.92. She then opened a daylight lead, and midway on the turn, as Keep America Great continued to draw off from the field, her odds suddenly dropped to 2-1.

With Saenz hand-riding the entire length of the stretch, Keep America Great won by 5 3/4 lengths, paid $6.60, and became Handsome Mike’s 25th winner this year. The $12,600 first prize moved her sire up one spot into 11th place on Florida’s general sire list.