Nevada Beach holds off British Isles in Native Diver

Nevada Beach stalked the pace and rolled to a half-length win as the heavy 1-9 favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles.

Juan Hernandez rated Nevada Beach in third, about three lengths off the lead, into the first turn. Westwood (8-1) and Umberto Rispoli maintained the lead on the rail into the backstretch as British Isles (16-1) and Diego Herrera pressed a half-length back in second. British Isles poked a head in front of Westwood heading to the far turn. Nevada Beach started a rally outside, drew alongside the new leader passing the eighth pole and held off a battling British Isles through the last two furlongs.

"He went easy today," Hernandez said. "He is a big horse, he is a train. He got the job done though ... he may want to run a little more distance, he galloped out of the race well."

Trained by Richard Baltas, long shot British Isles finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of Westwood, who could not keep up with the dueling pair in the stretch. Westwood finished 5 3/4 lengths in front of Indispensable. Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Hector Berrios, Indispensable trailed throughout, put in a late bid around the far turn and faded in the stretch.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Nevada Beach earned a second graded stakes victory and third overall. He improved his record to 6: 4-1-0. Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, the 3-year-old Omaha Beach colt increased his earnings to $426,550.

Nevada Beach returned $2.20 and $2.10. British Isles returned $4.80. With the scratch of Clouseau, no show wagering took place.

Fractions were 23.42, 47.17, 1:11.25 and 1:35.95, with a final time of 1:48.35.