Diva Delite takes Suncoast

The $75,000 Suncoast Stakes was won by Diva Delite, a three-year-old daughter of Repent owned by Barbara Vivian and Dominic Vittese, conditioned by David Vivian and booted home by Rosemary Homeister, Jr.

David Vivian, trainer of Diva Delite, said of his filly’s effort, “Trainer David Vivian: I was very confident. We ran against the same horses, she was training well and further is better for her. The last time she was really out of her element; she couldn’t lay back the way he wanted to, and today we took her back off of the pace and she ran the race the way she was supposed to. She’s a good filly – a really good filly. What her limitations are, I don’t know, but we’re going to have to try her. She’s done everything I’ve asked of her.” Vivian indicated that Diva Delite’s next race would be the Grade III Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs on March 13’s Festival Day.

Winning jockey Rosemary Homeister, Jr. was all smiles leaving the winners circle: "I said after the Gasparilla that this filly had a real personality and there she was again today! Fortunately the track started to play evenly after the early races and being wide wasn't a problem. We were well back but she was relaxed again and even before the turn I thought we had them measured. I asked her getting to the stretch and she really responded; at the end I was only keeping an eye on the inside in case something might sneak up on us.”