Handicappers who make a big score on a longshot have a tendency to reserve a soft spot in their hearts for the steed who fattened their bank accounts and will follow that horse for a while looking for a repeat. On May 20, He’s On the Fly won at Presque Isle Downs and paid $39.80, so even though the Bahamian Squall gelding lost his next two, there had to be some percentage of fans who stuck with him for a 6 1/2-furlong race this week, where he was sent off at 35-1.
With Brooke Bays in the saddle, the gelding bred by Peggy Follin raced up close from the start, but dropped back on the turn and appeared to have lost all chance. But Bays never gave up, sending He’s On the Fly through on the inside down the lane and the 7-year-old gelding out-gamed his rivals to the wire, winning by a length and lighting up the tote board to the tune of $72.60.
He’s On the Fly earned a check for $7,800, raising his total to $71,994 on a record of 6-3-2 in 32 starts.