The streaking Richard Moreau-trained Gia Diamond ($10.60) circled the field of Preferred 2 pacing mares to win the $10,000 Wednesday night feature for the second week in a row at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Leaving from the inside post, Sr Beach Babe had the field of six lined up in post position order through a :27.4 opening quarter, and continued to lead through a half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:26 with pressure mounting from the developing outer tier. Once again, Gia Diamond and driver Travis Henry tracked the cover of Top Royal -- this time third-over from last after being handicapped outside her foes -- and fanned widest of all turning for home. While the mares spread across the track in the race to the wire, Gia Diamond rallied from the backfield to take the winning prize. She defeated Top Royal by a head in 1:55.1 while Stonebridge Quest, the even-money favourite, finished three-quarters of a length behind in third off a pocket trip.
Gia Diamond now boasts back-to-back wins in London's Preferred 2 class, three straight victories since joining the Moreau stable, and four in her current string of successful outings.
The five-year-old American Ideal mare, who was claimed on April 13 at Mohawk Racetrack for $10,000, is owned by La Ferme Drummond Inc. of Saint-Hugues, Que.
In the evening's $7,500 Preferred 3, Got Some Spark ($12.80) also closed from off-the-pace and nailed the front-striding Regal Luck in a photo finish for the 1:56.3 win for trainer Lindsey Kerr and owner Sally Charlton of Tecumseh, Ont.
Runner-up Regal Luck had made the front after what track announcer Shannon 'Sugar' Doyle called the "killer crossover" move off the gate of outsider Katherine B and was then confronted by slight favourite Solid Queen. She regained the lead through a :28.1 third quarter duel with the 6-5 favourite, but couldn't hold off Got Some Spark, who came through between horses off a ground-saving trip for her second win in a row in rein to Bob McClure.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.
For the official judges' report from Wednesday's card, click the following link: Judges' Report - Western Fair - May 10.