Sent the second longest shot on the board, Diamondtequilashot overcome post 8 to win the $13,500 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap at odds of 35-1 on Saturday (May 30) at Northfield Park.
St Lads Gidget took command around the first turn and led the field to the first quarter in :27. Touchamatic, leaving from post 7, parked up the backside but progressed to challenge the pacesetter with Diamondtequilashot in tow heading to a :55.2 half. St Lads Gidget maintained control moving to three-quarters in 1:24 while Touchamatic stalled first over, prompting driver Kurt Sugg to angle Diamondtequilashot three wide approaching the final turn. Diamondtequilashot edged closer to the leader and battled for the front through the stretch to nail St Lads Gidget by a quarter length in 1:53.1. Camera Lady gave chase four lengths behind in third.
Winning her second race from nine starts this season and her 23rd from 144 overall, Diamondtequilashot—competing for owner Diamond Standardbreds—has earned $287,329. Bill Webb conditions the seven-year-old daughter of Palone Ranger who returned $73.60 to win.
Diamondtequilashot gave Kurt Sugg one of five victories collected on the 15-race program. He also visited the winner’s circle with Mossy Oak Camo ($23.20), Tigers Sue ($3.80), Alishas Big Star ($3.20) and Getoffmycloud ($8.60).