Pleasant Acres stallions hit a four-bagger

Yesterday proved to be Grand Slam Sunday for Pleasant Acres stallions, with Handsome Mike and Treasure Beach each picking up two maiden winners, three coming at Gulfstream Park and the fourth at Woodbine.

Handsome Mike is now the sire of 27 winners in 2019 with progeny earnings of $879,484 as he shoots for a million-dollar season with just two crops racing.

Aptly-named Slammin’ Mike picked up his first victory in five starts for owner/breeder Bert Pilcher’s Shade Tree Thoroughbreds, winning at one mile over the Gulfstream turf course under Jonathan Gonzales. The 3-year-old gelding was off second, rushed into the lead after a quarter, opened up by five in the stretch and cruised to the wire 3 1/4 lengths in front. He earned a check for $10,400.

Handsome Lil Devil also broke his maiden at Gulfstream despite looking like a runaway train in deep stretch. The 2-year-old colt bred by Bull Dog Racing made a wide, winning move on the turn and was headed for an easy score when he took a funny step, then was all over the course late – near the outside fence. Luca Panici still guided him to the wire and he won anyway, by 1 1/2 lengths, earning $23,000.

Treasure Beach continues to excel in three countries, with Extravagant Rose breaking her maiden at one mile on the grass at Gulfstream under Emisael Jaramillo, and Cerrado getting his first score at Woodbine with Alan Garcia. Extravagant Rose shot right to the lead, had no challenges until the stretch, then held off Shell Shocker by a neck. Vicino Racing Stable prospered to the tune of $38,000, plus the breeder’s award.

Cerrado came from sixth place going 1 1/6 miles on the turf, swept into the lead in the stretch, and went on to win by three-quarters. The 3-year-old gelding earned $12,480 ($9,395 U. S.).

Treasure Beach has 43 winners of 61 races in 2019, progeny earnings of $1,552,763, and a good chance to reach $2 million by Dec. 31.