Handsome Mike runners strike for two Tuesday victories

On another sparse Tuesday with all the major tracks shuttered, Handsome Mike had three starters at various venues around the country and struck for two winners and a third. The pair of winners gave him 13 for the year.

In a $29,700 maiden special at Finger Lakes, Striking Mike broke his maiden in his fifth start under Emanuel De Diego, who put the 3-year-old on the lead from the rail and fought off Ganondagan through early fractions of :23.16 and :47.10. He then pulled away in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths while the 6/5 shot faded to third. The gelding owned and bred by Kathryn Wright and Samantha Vitalone was clocked in :53.61 for the 4 1/2 furlongs on a track labeled ‘good,’ paid $18.80, and collected a check for $14,520.

Last night, Don’t Spin Me spun her sixth career victory over a sloppy track at Mountaineer Park with Noel Vigil riding, earning a check for $4,350. The 5-year-old mare was bred by the highly successful quartet of Ed Seltzer, Beverly Anderson, and Joe and Helen Barbazon and was sent off at 7/2 in the race at 5 1/2 furlongs. Don’t Spin Me went to the front in a :22.86 quarter and proved to be easily best, battling back after briefly losing the lead at the top of the stretch and winning by 4 1/4 lengths. The $1,700 OBS October yearling has earned $59,963 and is 6-3-0 in 27 starts.