Handsome Mike gelding is more than ready for first try in Indiana

After 14 starts at other tracks produced just one victory, Mike Is Ready showed yesterday he was more than ready for his first effort at Indiana Grand. The son of Handsome Mike proved to be a ton the best in a one-mile race with Fernando De La Cruz in the saddle.

Racing’s major problem of short fields didn’t hurt the chances of the 4-year-old gelding after three late scratches reduced the field to five. But it no doubt wouldn’t have mattered how many left the starting gate as De La Cruz nursed Mike Is Ready within hailing distance of the lead down the backstretch, went after the pace-setter three wide on the turn, and easily cruised to a two-length victory.

Mike Is Ready earned a check of $6,600 for breeder Ruben Sierra’s Just For Fun Stable and paid $26 as the longest price on the tote board. He became Handsome Mike’s 11th winner of 2021.