Hammered down to 1-5 in the wagering, Diamond Tiara rewarded her many backers with a facile front-end victory in a division of Friday’s Donna Dunn Memorial Pace
at The Meadows. Debaucheee Hanover scored an 8-1 upset in the other $15,000 second-leg split of the series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.
In the series’ opening leg, Diamond Tiara raced off a 4-1/2-month layoff and disappointed as the 1-5 favourite. There was no disappointment Friday, as the four-year-old daughter of Mcardle-A Diamond In June pocketed Rhea Nourrir and drew off for Aaron Merriman to down Rhea Nourrir by three lengths in 1:55.4. A Lady Of Grace was a non-threatening third.
Kent Sherman trains Diamond Tiara, who won for the sixth time in 18 career starts, for Carol Cunningham and Gregory Niesen.
Debauchee Hanover gave Merriman a second-leg sweep when she rallied wide to make up an eight-length deficit and triumph in 1:57. The first-over Morwyn Hanover was second, a head back, while early leader Givemybest Hanover saved show.
Luis Porfilio trains Debauchee Hanover, a three-year-old daughter of Western Hanover-Daylon Affair, and owns with Angela Porfilio. The series concludes with next Friday’s championship leg.
In the $22,500 Filly & Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, 13-1 longshot Tremor Hanover rode the first-over cover of Sand Windsor, then roared past late to notch her first victory in 10 starts this year.
The five-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native-Terrie Letsgo prevailed in 1:53.4 over Sand Windsor, with Personal Ad a rallying third. Brian Zendt drove for trainer Aaron Johnston and owners Charles Moses and Shawn Johnston.
Merriman and Dave Palone each drove three winners on the 14-race card.
(The Meadows)