Sent off as the longest shot on the board at 19-1, it is clear that few people expected Handsome Mike to win the $1,000,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) this afternoon at Parx Racing. Yet in the end that is exactly what he did, holding off a late run from Macho Macho to pull off a surprising upset.
Ridden to victory by Irad Ortiz Jr., Handsome Mike got off to an excellent start and soon took command of the early lead while facing only mild pressure along the inside from Alpha. Golden Ticket, Csaba, Macho Macho, and Stephanoatsee were all up close as well in a very tight field, while Casual Trick was content to trail early by a substantial margin.
The early pace was very slow, with Handsome Mike running the opening quarter in :25, the half in :49 4/5, and three-quarters in 1:14 flat. But as the field made their way around the final turn and into the homestretch, things began to heat up. First, Csaba loomed boldly in the three path before retreating to finish last. Then Alpha made a run to challenge for the lead along the rail before flattening out. Next, Stephanoatsee loomed a menace along the inside before giving way as well. Finally, Golden Ticket and Macho Macho came running on the outside with Macho Macho eventually emerging the strongest challenge for the win. But while the son of Macho Uno did put in a good run, Handsome Mike already had the race sewn up, coasting home in front by two lengths to win the nine-furlong race in 1:51 3/5.
Golden Ticket out-finished Stephanoatsee for third, while Casual Trick, Alpha, and Csaba completed the order of finish.
The winner is a son of Scat Daddy out of the Smart Strike mare Classic Strike. Trained by Leandro Mora and owned by Reddam Racing, Handsome Mike has now won two of his eight ten starts, with one second and one third as well. He has accumulated earnings of $756,780.
-Keelerman
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