Handsome Mike gets winner No. 42 at Mountaineer

The way Mike Mike performed over a muddy track in the first race at Mountaineer Casino Wednesday night, he didn’t look like a horse who had not yet broken his maiden.

With Luciano Hernandez aboard in the 5 1/2-furlong race, the 4-year-old gelding by Handsome Mike left from the No. 9 post and stalked the early pace while four wide down the backstretch. He made a strong outside move on the turn, took the lead into the stretch, and widened it all the way to the wire, winning by four lengths and paying $3.80 as favorite.

Mike Mike became winner No. 42 for his sire this year and only seven Florida stallions have more; but three of those have 43 so Handsome Mike has a week left to move into a tie for fifth, or even better.