Handsome Mike filly in a rush to nail down 2nd victory

Caffeine Rush closed with a rush in the eighth race at Gulfstream Park yesterday, leaving the field in her wake and giving Handsome Mike his 24th winner of 2021.

The 4-year-old filly bred by Just For Fun Stable was coming off an excellent work of :48.35 for four furlongs at Palm Meadows and went off as the 2-1 favorite in the 5 1/2-furlong race contested over a sloppy track. Leonel Reyes broke her quickly from the rail and she settled in second behind pace-setter Foolish Heart.

After a :22.39 first quarter, Reyes drove Caffeine Rush through inside Foolish Heart and easily took the lead into the stretch. From there, it was all but over as she cruised away to a 6 1/2-length score, raising her record to 2-6-1 in 14 starts.

Caffeine Rush paid $6.80 and collected a check for $20,900, raising her total to $70,840. She earned her best ‘E’ speed figure from Equibase – an 86.