Handsome Mike gelding strikes for 3rd victory in last 4 races

More Than Striking was the only runner for Pleasant Acres stallions across the country yesterday, and the son of Handsome Mike made his 11th career start a winning one. The 4-year-old gelding has now captured three of his last four at Finger Lakes, at the same time giving his sire 100 winning races.

Luis Perez was aboard More Than Striking in the race at six furlongs, and he carried highweight of 124 pounds. Favored Schwarbertown went to the lead and More Than Striking, after beginning quickly, was eased back to fifth. After a quarter in :22.94, Perez sent the gelding after the pace-setter and More Than Striking caught Schwarbertown in the stretch and continued on to score by three-quarters of a length.

More Than Striking began his career at Gulfstream Park and scored in his debut racing in the colors of Kathleen Amaya and Alexandro and Raffaele Centofanti, also his breeders. They sold him before his second start, and More Then Striking has gone on to post a record of 4-2-0 in his 11 tries. His $6,000 check yesterday boosted Handsome Mike’s progeny earnings for the year to $974,038.