Pamela Wagner's K J Diamond became the only two-time winner in the final Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund series of 2021 for three-year-old trotting fillies, edging fellow first-round winner Jazzy Judy in their $20,000 second-round preliminary division on Monday at Dover Downs.
Trainer-driver Victor Kirby situated the daughter of Keystone Activator and Diamonds For Julie in third behind 2-5 favourite Jazzy Judy (Tim Tetrick), who controlled tepid early splits of :29.2 and 1:01. K J Diamond began her first-over ascent with three-eighths to go, nudging Jazzy Judy to accelerate to three-quarters in 1:30.2 before throwing down in an extended stretch duel. Despite having to overcome an overland journey, K J Diamond reached the lead in the final 70 yards, defeating Jazzy Judy by a neck in 1:59.4. Kim's Command (Allan Davis) finished third.
K J Diamond ($6.20), whom Dr. Scott Woogen bred, won for the sixth time in her career and cemented herself as a likely favourite in the $100,000 DSBF final, which will be held on Dec. 16.
In the other $20,000 DSBF preliminary event for sophomore trotting fillies, Whitesville Beulah made amends for a first-round break with a 1:59.2 score. The Anders Bluestone-Whitesville Tara filly led at every call and evaded Toni Lee by 1-1/4 lengths to win for the sixth time in her career. Art Stafford, Jr. drove for owner/trainer/breeder Gary White.
Joining K J Diamond and Whitesville Beulah among the fillies who have qualified for the final are Jazzy Judy, Toni Lee, Designers Edge, Kims Command, Annalee and Azurine.
Tuesday's (Dec. 7) program at Dover Downs features the second preliminary round of the DSBF series for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. First post for the 13-race card is 4:30 p.m.
(Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund)