Nashoba's Gold Outshines Diversy Harbor

Nashoba’s Gold outsprinted favored Diversy Harbor late to win Saturday’s Grade III, $150,000 Providencia Stakes by one length under Joe Talamo, getting 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.06.

Second, beaten a half length by Diversy Harbor in the one mile turf China Doll Stakes March 8, Nashoba’s Gold sat a comfortable fourth, three lengths off the lead leaving the half mile pole and swung four-wide turning for home as she kept Diversy Harbor and Gary Stevens pinned in behind the leaders at that critical point. 

“We just had a perfect trip,” said Talamo.  “I had a lot of horse.  I just wanted to keep her out of any trouble.  I kept her three or four wide and everything worked out great were able to turn the tables today.  She is a very special animal.”

Trained by Carla Gaines and owned and bred by Warren B. Williamson, Nashoba’s Gold was the second choice in a field of 10 3-year-old fillies at 5-2.  She paid $7.40, $3.40 and $2.60.

“My filly’s just maturing,” said Gaines.  “She’s learning, but it was a great race and a great ride.  I’m so excited.”

Lightly raced Nashoba’s Gold, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Smart Strike, got her second win from three starts and banked $90,000 for the win, increasing her earnings to $139,380.

Undefeated in two starts, Diversy Harbor unleashed an eye-catching late run to win the China Doll and although she was much closer with three furlongs to run today, unfurled a similar run, but had to wait for room leaving the three sixteenths pole before splitting horses two lanes off the fence.  She finished second, 2 ½ lengths clear of One More and Mario Gutierrez. 

The heavy favorite at even money, Diversy Harbor sat behind fractions of 22.44, 48.44, 1:13.19 and 1:36.69.  She paid $2.60 and $2.40. 

“Joe ran a really good race,” said Stevens.  “I really thought I had made a good tactical move going into the turn, but I got through too late.  It might have been different if I had decided to go wide.  You really have two super fillies in these two horses.”

Off at 6-1, One More sat a close third throughout and paid $4.20 to show.