Diamond Oops gets the setup to upset Gulfstream's Mr. Prospector

As X Y Jet sprinted up front and Imperial Hint chased into the far turn Saturday at Gulfstream Park, a number popped on the board that likely sealed both their fates: a 43.85-second opening half mile.

That proved too fast for even those elite sprinters to maintain over seven furlongs as Diamond Oops took advantage, sweeping past in the stretch to win the Grade 3, $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes.

A 4-year-old son of Lookin At Lucky, 7-2 shot Diamond Oops sat next to last early in the field of six and made the most of the pace setup, finishing up in 1:21.36 under jockey Julien Leparoux.

"He's just an honest horse that tries hard all the time," said trainer Patrick Biancone. "I trained all the family. They're all like that."

Lasting Legacy chased on to nip Imperial Hint for second.

Imperial Hint was running for the first time since scrached the morning of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint by a veterinarian. He figures to go forward into a 7-year-old campaign including major races again.

X Y Jet’s layoff was even longer, and the tote board reflected it. Off at 6-1, he hadn’t raced since winning the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) last March; that figures to be another goal for the gelding in 2020.

Diamond Oops, meanwhile, had disappointed when stumbling to start the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, finishing eighth. But he was second previously to Imperial Hint in Saratoga’s Vanderbilt (G1) and entered 4-for-5 at Gulfstream Park.

"We worked a little bit at the gate with him and break him a little bit Wednesday to take off the freshness," Biancone said, "and here we are."

Biancone campaigns the gelding along with Diamond 100 Racing Club, Amy Dunne and DP Racing. Overall, Diamond Oops improved to 5-2-1 in 12 starts.