INGLEWOOD, Calif. (April 23, 2008) - Diamond Diva overcame the outside post en route to a come-from-behind victory under jockey David Flores in the $110,800 Wilshire Handicap as Hollywood Park's 70th anniversary meeting began Wednesday.
Diamond Diva, a three-time winner in 12 starts in Great Britain, remained perfect in the U.S. after winning her North American debut in March. She covered one mile on the Lakeside Turf Course in a brisk 1:33.21 while rewarding backers with an $8.20 win payoff as the 3-1 favorite in the field of nine fillies and mares.
Diamond Diva, fifth at the head of the stretch in the Grade III event, closed strongly in the final sixteenth to connect by three-quarters of a length over Kris's Sis and jockey Michael Baze. La Tee, ridden by Martin Garcia, was another 1¼ lengths back in third.
"She broke well and the outside post didn't seem to be a hindrance and that was my biggest concern," trainer Jim Cassidy said. "She was wide pretty much most of the race until they hit the five-eighths pole and he was able to get her in. Down the lane I thought she might win a little easier than she did, but when I saw the fractions I realized why."
La Tee set the pace with Unspoken Word pressing and went the first six furlongs in 1:08.90.
"I've been getting on her since she arrived in this country and I knew she was a really good filly," Flores said. "I didn't make it back from Dubai for her last race because I missed my flight in New York, but Mike (Smith) did a real good job with her. I wasn't worried about the post because you can place her anywhere you want. Last time there was no pace and she was right with the leaders. Today they were going real fast and she settled nicely."
The victory - worth $66,480 - increased Diamond Diva's earnings to $181,323.
Baze, who registered his first Hollywood Park stakes win aboard Charm the Giant in the 2007 Wilshire, had no complaints with Kris's Sis.
"She ran her race, she was digging in at the end," he said. "The other one just had more of a kick."
