Heavy favorite Diamond Oops sprints clear in Kiss a Native

Diamond Oops, backed to heavy favoritism off his debut victory four weeks earlier, saved ground on the inside early and split horses approaching the stretch before sprinting clear down the lane to capture the $100,000 Kiss a Native by 3 ¼ lengths.

 

Trained and co-owned by Patrick Biancone, Diamond Oops ($2.60) completed 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.34. Bobby Ax overcame a poor start to run second with Dial One, trying dirt for the first time, third and Uncle Runt was fourth. Slacks of Course unseated jockey Edgard Zayas on the far turn and did not finish.

 

Jockey Luis Saez, returning to Gulfstream where he won his first Championship Meet riding title over the winter, settled Diamond Oops along the rail as Dial One cruised through the first quarter-mile in 25.31 seconds and the half in 46.06. Saez steered Diamond Oops two wide rounding the turn and slipped through a seam between Bobby Ax and Dial One straightening for home.

 

“He’s a very good horse. You can see he’s 16-2; he’s a very big baby. We ran him the first time and didn’t think he could win only going five-eighths and he won very easily,” Biancone said. “Today, we were lucky and got through. He was forced to take the lead a bit early, but he ran a good race. Just his second start, you cannot ask for more.”

 

Biancone said Diamond Oops will be pointed to the Best Pal (G2) Aug. 12 at Del Mar or the Saratoga Special (G2) Aug. 13 at Saratoga, both at 6 ½ furlongs.

 

“He was very impressive the first time he ran. I would say he was more impressive than today,” Biancone said. “He’s a horse with a big future. We are going to give him a little break and go either in the Saratoga Special or the Best Pal. It will be one of the two.”

 

Sano Racing Stables’ Rose to Fame, given clear run by jockey Edgard Zayas from the gate, steadily gained ground on the outside to catch Go Astray in mid-stretch and hold off an inside rally by Diamonds R Trump in the $100,000 Brave Raj for juvenile fillies.

 

It was the second win in as many starts for Rose to Fame ($16), following her maiden victory over a sloppy, sealed track June 7 at Gulfstream. The winning time for 5 ½ furlongs was 1:07.41.

 

R Paper Chaser was quickest at the start and ran the first quarter-mile in 22.22 seconds with Go Astray glued to her outside. Go Astray took over the top spot after a half in 46.14 and they straightened for home in front until caught by a determined Rose to Fame approaching the wire.

 

Rose to Fame was a neck winner over Diamonds R Trump, who made a strong move up the rail to get second over Di Maria. Go Astray was fourth followed by even-money favorite Classy Dancer and R Paper Chaser.

 

“This is a good filly. I think [Diamonds R Trump] is a very nice horse,” winning trainer Antonio Sano said. “I think what this filly needs is more distance. She won, but the jockey needed to really ride her. She’s a big filly and she has a long stride.”