When Illinois-bred Hay Jude relocated to Florida after selling for $6,000 while pregnant with Little Mike, it’s unlikely anyone thought that foal would one day return to Illinois to win the state’s most important race.
Born in 2007, Little Mike was a bit of a late developer. While he three allowance races at 3 years old and placed in a stakes, it wasn’t until 2011 and 2012 that he really shined.