Real Diva lived up to her name Monday afternoon at Miami Valley Raceway, as the mare captured the $15,000 Survivor Series final for $5,000 claiming mares.
The series started with 40 minimum claiming mares in four divisions two weeks ago, was narrowed to the top twenty for the second go-around last week, and then ten finalists squared off to compete for the crown and the lucrative purse on Monday.
Sent off as an 8-5 co-favourite from the rail, driver Dan Noble was content to get away third in the first quarter with the six-year-old daughter of Real Desire. Real Diva was shuffled to fourth at both the half and the three-quarter stations as first Fancy Jess (Kayne Kauffman) and then Grimalkin (Trace Tetrick) pressured the pacesetter Star Of Our Show (Brett Miller). Noble was able to angle the winner three-wide at the head of the stretch and propel down the middle of the lane to secure the 1:55.4 score.
Trainer Noah Garrett, who sports an outstanding .512 UTRS during the current meet, also owns Real Diva who he purchased from out East around the turn of the calendar year to 2019. She won her first start in Ohio in January, then managed a pair of show finishes in the Survivor Series eliminations.
Grimalkin garnered the place money and Star Of The Show hung on for third.
The Tuesday matinee at Miami Valley will feature the tandem $15,000 championship Survivor Series showdown for the male $5,000 claimers. First race post is 2:05 p.m. and the Survivor Series championship should head postward approximately 5 p.m.
(Miami Valley Raceway)