8/23/2020

 6   SAR     The Diana (GI)

        $500.000    4yo&Up F&M      1 1/8m  Turf      123 lbs

Sometimes, these big races just end up being a dud… this, this was ANYTHING but a dud.  Five lengths covered the field, and when the dust settled, Holualoa, conditioned by Smokey Stover, took The Diana (GI) by three-quarters of a length, stopping the teltimer in 1:45³, the same time as last year when this HOF-type conditioner won this race with  Na Pali.  Rules Are Madness did all of the heavy lifting in this one, but could not hold off the winner, settling for the place, a length better than 40/1 shot, Cest And Me in third.  Bagina was fourth. 

The ten matrons loaded into the gate on the lush outer turf course here at The Spa, and were away in good order with Cest Ad Me on the early lead, Fill The Void going after that one and Holualoa giving chase.  Investment Return was next, Maggie Greene along the rail, Bagina next to that one, then Rules Are Madness, then the outside trio of La Terrifant, Trippi Tip Toe and Illustrious Cat was the early trailer.

The field made their way around the clubhouse turn and Rules Are Madness moved up quickly to take the lead, La Terrifiant chasing that one, then two lengths back to Fill The Void, Cest And Me on her flank, another length to Holualoa skimming the rail, Illustrious Cat on her outside.  It was another gap of two back to Bagina between horses, Maggie Greene on the inside, Investment Return on the outside, then another length back to the trailer, Trippi Tip Toe.

They made the run down the backside and were nearing the far turn with a bit more than three furlongs to run with Rules Are Madness continuing to show the way by a half-length, La Terrifiant not going away and keeping the pressure on the leader, two and a half lengths back to Holualoa between horses, Cest And Me on her outside, Fill The Void along the rail, then a length back to Illustrious Cat caught three wide, Maggie Green along the inside and Bagina between that duo.  Another length to Investment Return widest of all, and Trippi Tip Toe continued to bring up the rear.

Now swing around the far turn and to the top of the lane, the flew past the three-sixteenths pole and were headed for home as Rules Are Madness was in front by a length and a half.  La Terrifiant was trying to keep the pressure on but was losing ground, Holuaola now starting to gain momentum and move forward, Cest And Me out wide and coming on, drop down to the rail for Fill The Void, Maggie Greene on her outside, Illustirous Cat swigging out for the drive, Bagina, Investment Return widest of all and Trippi Tip Toe.

Deep stretch and to the finish, in the final sixteenth, Holualoa moved up and by Rules Are Madness, and nobody was going to stop her today, and she went under the wire in front by almost a length.  Rules Are Madness continued on well for second, a length in front of Cest And Me in third.  It was a long neck back to Bagina in fourth, then it was bang-bang-bang as La Terrifian was a heck back in fifth and a nose better than Maggie Green in sixth, then another half -length to Investment Return in seventh, Illustrious Cat eighth, Trippi Tip Toe nine and Fill The Void rounded out the field.

Holualoa is a 4yo bay filly by Grandeur – Lost Soul, by Engine Failure, and she was bred by her owner, Smokey Stover, in ON.  This was her fourth win of the 2020 season, and her seventh in sixteen lifetime starts.  Add in seven other on-the-board starts and you understand why she has $774.810 in earnings.  Look for her at KEE this fall… she should be a hand-full. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Firm           Time: :47³  1:10³  1:34   1:45³
$1 Exacta: 3 – 6 Paid 34.10         $1 Trifecta: 3 – 6 – 7 Paid 898.00
Scratched: None

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES