BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Post time favorite Most Handsome took a two-length lead into the run for home but had to hold off a late charge by Mila’s Wish to win a narrow photo finish and the $95,000 Hollywood Beach for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park Saturday. Most Handsome remained undefeated in two starts as Florida-breds took the top four spots in the five-furlong Hollywood Beach, originally scheduled for turf but switched to the synthetic course.
“I was happy about [change in surface]. Why wouldn’t I be? He already won on Tapeta,” winning trainer Ronald Spatz said. “But I think he’ll run on turf too.”
In addition to the $43,650 winner’s check, Most Handsome earned a $10,000 Florida-bred bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. Mila’s Wish picked up a $6,000 Florida-bred bonus while third-place finisher Noble N Magic took down $4,000 in FTBOA bonus money.
Most Handsome broke a bit tardy from the outside post eight but was quickly hustled into contention by jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Most Handsome raced on the lead with Moon Factor to his inside while passing the half-mile post then scooted away to a length advantage around the far turn. Noble N Magical made a three-wide move midway on the turn while Mila’s Wish chased the leaders from two-and-a-half lengths back in fourth.
Van Dyke sent Most Handsome to a clear advantage on Noble N Magical coming out of the bend while jockey Marcos Meneses steered Mila’s Wish six-wide to make his run. Most Handsome was still two-and-a-half lengths in front with a sixteenth-of-a-mile to run when Mila’s Wish suddenly advanced to hit the wire in a very tight finish.
Most Handsome was a head faster than Mila’s Wish in second in a final time of :57.60. Noble N Magical was a length back in third. Florida-bred Ghostly Rose was fourth followed by Nostaglia’s Smile, Discreet Dancer, Moon Factor and Florida-bred Lazio.
“I was just going to let him break as-is. I could tell in the post parade that he was going to be more forward than he was last time. He was on the muscle and I was happy with that,” Van Dyke said. “He broke running and I was telling Ronnie that he was wanting to lean in a little bit with me today. He did that a little bit his first time out, but he’s a 2-year-old, so he’ll grow out of that. But he’s got talent. He’s got a nice future ahead of him.”
Co-owned by Spatz with David Romanik, Most Handsome paid $5.60 to win.
With his debut victory going five-and-a-half furlongs on the all-weather course at Gulfstream on Aug. 31, Most Handsome has now earned $98,650. He was sent through the auction ring by consignor On Track at this year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale but did not meet his $45,000 reserve.
Most Handsome is a gelded son of Neolithic, who stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions, out of the Songandaprayer mare Precious Lady. He was bred in Florida by Julie Ann Jackson. Precious Lady has eight winners from eight starters with Most Handsome her only stakes winner. She has an unnamed Florida-bred weanling filly by Mutasaabeq and in 2024 was bred to Simplification, who also stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions.
