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Diamond Omi turns back Wild Fit, takes Oak Leaf Stakes
Emerging a winner in her stakes debut, Diamond Omi held off Wild Fit's stretch challenge to win the $200,000 Oak Leaf Stakes (G2) by three-quarters of a length at Santa Anita Park on Saturday. Diamond Omi took advantage of a ground saving trip to earn her most lucrative victory in the 1 1/16-mile race. In her fourth career start, Diamond Omi seized command in the stretch and handed Wild Fit her first career loss while winning in 1:45.57 on a fast track.
Golden Silk finished third, 4 1/2 lengths behind Wild Fit. Wild Fit and Diamond Omi battled for second while settling behind the early pace set by Golden Silk. From the start of the race for two-year-old fillies, jockey David Flores positioned Diamond Omi inside of Wild Fit.
Diamond Omi drove past Golden Silk to open a half-length lead in early stretch, where Wild Fit took over second after unleashing a three-wide bid in the final turn. Diamond Omi then held on gamely to turn back Wild Fit, the 1-to-2 favorite in a field of seven who won the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on August 27.
Diamond Omi rallied after dropping back to third, 11/2 lengths behind Golden Silk, a half-mile into the race. Golden Silk faded to third after building a one-length lead.
Bob Baffert trains Diamond Omi, a chestnut filly owned by Donald Dizney who earned her first career win on September 7. |