Handsome Mike mare does what it takes – again

Handsome Mike moved closer to the $1 million mark in 2021 progeny earnings with the victory of Do What It Takes at Finger Lakes yesterday.

The 5-year-old mare won for the third time this year, and second in her last three tries, uncorking a monster run through the stretch in the six-furlong race. Do What It Takes was off fourth down the backstretch, and began moving up coming to the turn. She swung to mid-track entering the stretch, but still had five lengths to make up passing the eighth pole, where she dug in and roared to the wire in front by 6 1/4 lengths.

The mare bred in New York by Joe and Helen Barbazon paid $3.70 as favorite, and raised her record to 7-6-8 in 36 starts; the $7,560 winner’s check boosting her earnings to $86,768. Handsome Mike’s progeny earnings jumped to $965,757, and he’s currently the eighth leading sire among active Florida stallions.