Handsome Mike’s lone Friday entrant goes wire-to-wire at Tampa

Handsome Mike’s only Friday entrant around the country was Darlindiva, at Tampa Bay Downs, and the 4-year-old filly moved her sire to within less than $5,000 of $1.3 million in the progeny earnings department.

Oldsmar newcomer Alonso Quinonez gave Darlindiva a picture-perfect ride, shooting her to the lead out of the gate and never allowing her to give it up despite being pressured every step of the way down the backstretch in the mile and 40-yard race. The filly owned and bred by Joe and Vivi Serena turned away four challengers at the top of the stretch, leaving them in the dust late, and winning by 2 1/2 lengths.

Darlindiva paid $15.20 while earning a check for $8,395 and a breeder’s award for the Serenas. The filly is now 4-3-5 in 22 starts with earnings of $50,799.