7th-KEE, $64,953, Msw, 10-12, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:17.22, ft.
DIAMOND TAP (f, 3, Tapit&log=">Tapit–Divine Diamond, by Storm Cat) was bet down to 2-1 off a sharp series of drills at Churchill Downs for a barn that rarely wins first out, and while her backers might not have felt confident in their wagers early, they were counting their money at the wire. Sluggish from the blocks and back to last from the widest draw, the bay was asked to go a bit down the backside to move slightly closer behind an opening quarter in :22.46. She continued to advance out in the clear hitting the half in :45.75, and swung widest into the lane before pilot James Graham opted to guide her inside of a drifting out rival. She threaded the needle willingly, and kicked away from longshot leader Socata (Flatter) late to don cap and gown by a length. The winner's dam was a $300,000 KEESEP yearling acquisition by Mandy Pope in 2009, but the half-sister to champion and dual classic winner Afleet Alex (Northern Afleet) was winless in one start on the track. Another half to Divine Diamond and Afleet Alex is responsible for this year's GIII Pilgrim S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf contender Seabhac (Scat Daddy). Divine Diamond has a yearling colt by Candy Ride (Arg) and was bred back to Frosted. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $39,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O/B-Whisper Hill Farm (KY); T-William B. Bradley.
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