Weber Romps to give Handsome Mike first 2021 winner

Handsome Mike’s first winner of 2021 came at Mahoning Valley yesterday, where Weber looked more like a 1/5 shot than a 15-1 proposition.

The 4-year-old gelding is an Indiana home-bred of trainer Michelle Elliott and her Elliott Ventures, and in his first 13 races was able to produce just one third-place finish. However, after this sharp victory, Weber is 2-1-1 in his last five tries.

David Haldar was aboard Weber in the one-mile race, and he placed the gelding perfectly behind the pace-setter down the backstretch. They went up for the lead on the turn, took over in the stretch and coasted the last 100 yards to win by five widening lengths. He paid $32.60 and earned a check for $5,880.