Handsome Mike gelding has lived up to his promise

John’s Promise debuted as a 3-year-old at Timonium on Aug. 23 of 2019 and broke his maiden by 2 1/2 lengths. The 6–year-old gelding then campaigned with success at Delaware Park, Charles Town, Laurel Park, Penn National and Monmouth Park for his next 31 starts.

Yesterday, the son of Handsome Mike returned to Timonium for the first time in three years and he’s now 2-for-2 at the track north of Baltimore.

Jean Alvelo was aboard John’s Promise for the $49,740 allowance optional claimer at ‘about’ 6 1/2 furlongs. He broke well from the No. 6 post and was engaged between horses in a three-way battle going to the first quarter, which went in :23.28. He was head-and-head with Jimmy the Kid after a half in :46.79, then edged away on the turn and hooked up in another battle with Flank Speed, winning it by a head bob at the wire despite track announcer Dave Rodman briefly calling the other horse as the winner.

The check for $28,800 raised John’s Promise’s earnings to $181,993 on a record of 7-9-4 in 33 tries. He paid $9, became Handsome Mike’s 18th winner of 2022, and in his last 12 starts hasn’t finished worse than fourth, sporting a record of 2-5-2-3 in that span.