Johnny Handsome Cruises at Fair Grounds

Diamond Racing et al.’s Louisiana-bred Johnny Handsome showed good-looking form on the eve of Fair Grounds’ 22nd Louisiana Champions Day by breaking out of the maiden ranks with a 6 1/4-length tally in a race restricted to Louisiana-bred juveniles.

Ridden by Ramsey Zimmerman and trained by Leo Gabriel Jr., Johnny Handsome returned mutuels of $12.40, $5 and $4 while increasing his career earnings to $32,000 with his first victory in four lifetime starts. He toured the mile and 70-yard distance in 1:45.16.

Twin Creeks Farm and Brent Gasaway’s Executive Call finished third under the wire but was elevated to the second position following interference on the turn from Tigertail Ranch’s Galveston Harbor, who was demoted from the runner up spot and placed third after setting the early fractions of 24.32 and 49.36.

Executive Call paid $3 and $2.60 to place and Galveston Harbor returned $4.20 to show.