Lalali is Handsome Mike’s 4th winner; she’s claimed for $25,000

Lalali returned from a five-month vacation to break her maiden with authority at Gulfstream Park yesterday, becoming the fourth winner for Handsome Mike in January.

The 3-year-old filly bred by the highly successful quartet of Ed Seltzer, Beverly Anderson and Joe and Helen Barbazon had finished third and second in her first two starts in August and was sent off at odds of 2/5 in her five-furlong return. Hector Berrios sent her to the lead out of the gate and Lalali battled with 26-1 shot Nice Adventure until the turn, when she drew off under mild urging and prevailed by nearly three lengths, clocked in :58.59. It was another six lengths back to the third-place finisher.

The filly earned $33,700 in her three starts for Super Super Stable, which lost her for $25,000 in a claim yesterday by owner Kenneth Fishbein and trainer Cheryl Winebaugh.