Handsome Mike: First runner, first winner

Freshman sire Handsome Mike’s first runner became his first winner today when Saint Michael went virtually wire-to-wire in the sixth race at Gulfstream Park. The 2-year-old colt had been working well for Monarch Stables and was sent off as the 9/10 favorite under Miguel Vasquez. Saint Michael broke alertly from the No. 1 post and was immediately tackled from the outside by Big Drink of Water. The pair raced head-and-head around the turn while opening up daylight on the rest of the field, then Saint Michael drew off in the stretch to score by two widening lengths. It was another seven lengths back to third-place finisher Benji. The final time of :52.37 was just over a second off the track record for the distance, and Saint Michael collected $27,650 for the sterling effort.

Handsome Mike is a son of red-hot sire Scat Daddy, who has four runners entered in tomorrow’s Kentucky Derby. Pennsylvania Derby winner Handsome Mike won or placed in nine stakes and earned more than $1 million. He  stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions for $5,000.