Cancel wins again for Handsome Mike filly’s faithful

On September 6, Happy Hill Lil broke her maiden at Saratoga under Eric Cancel and paid $35.40. When the 4-year-old Handsome Mike New York-bred filly returned at Belmont Park yesterday and made it two in a row with Cancel, she must have attracted all the same backers, because this time she paid $35.20.

Happy Hill Lil left from the No. 12 post in the six-furlong race over the inner turf course, and the filly owned and bred by Roger Cimbora Jr. broke in stride and took up a position in fourth place off the rail. Cancel sent her after the leaders coming to the turn, and she took the lead heading down the lane with only 3-1 Theodora Grace chasing her. It was a two-way battle to the wire, and Happy Hill Lil won it in a head-bob.

Happy Hill Lil completed the six furlongs in 1:09.28 and increased her earnings to $64,598. The two victories resulted in Equibase ‘E’ speed figures of 85 and 81, two best of her 11-race career.