John’s Promise getting better with age

John’s Promise raised his record to 6-7-2 in 26 starts with a hard-earned victory in a $22,000 starter allowance in the mud at Delaware Park yesterday. The gelding by Handsome Mike is enjoying his 5-year-old season; in his last nine tries, he’s posted a record of 2-5-0-1.

Raul Mena was aboard John’s Promise, who was sent to the lead in the six-furlong affair and held off two early challengers until they hit the top of the stretch. Then, the gelding bred by the McLaughlin Family Partnership drew off to score by 1 1/4 lengths, clocked in 1:12.19. He paid $6.60 and earned a check for $13,200, increasing his career total to a healthy $130,743.