Santa Anita: Handsome Mike gets one last chance in Arkansas Derby

Handsome Mike, fourth in Saturday’s Grade 3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, is scheduled to make his next start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 14, a last chance to gain a spot in the Kentucky Derby on May 5.

Handsome Mike was en route to Arkansas on Sunday, trainer Doug O’Neill said between races at Santa Anita.

“He’s headed to the Arkansas Derby as long as he’s training good,” O’Neill said.

A colt by Scat Daddy owned by Paul Reddam, Handsome Mike was beaten 6

1/2 lengths by Went the Day Well in the Spiral. He was last of 12 early after a troubled start and raced wide throughout the race over 1 1/8 miles.

“He had a bit of a rough trip from the 12 hole,” O’Neill said. “He ran through the kickback and raced wide.”

Through Saturday, Handsome Mike has $73,500 in graded stakes earnings, and will arguably need to be in the first two in the Arkansas Derby to earn sufficient prize money to gain a spot in the Kentucky Derby. The Derby field is limited to 20 starters, ranked by graded stakes earnings. Handsome Mike currently ranks 40th.

Handsome Mike has 1 win in 7 starts. Prior to the Spiral Stakes, his best finish in four stakes was a second in the Grade 3 Generous Stakes on turf at Hollywood Park last November. On Feb. 18, Handsome Mike was third in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 18.