IEAH Stables’ Diamondrella most recently finished 10th, beaten 6 ½ lengths, in the Grade 1, $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita on Sunday, January 31.
     Diamondrella, 9.30-1 in the betting, broke ninth from her rail post position under jockey Garrett Gomez and never got any closer while always at least six lengths from the leaders and not a threat in the running.
     The Equibase chart for the race read, “Diamondrella unhurried along the inside on the backstretch and turn, continued on the fence in the stretch and was not a threat.”
     Gabby’s Golden Gal, never far from the pace (23.58, 46.31, 1:09.76) set for a quarter-mile by Czechers and then by Free Flying Soul to the stretch call, edged clear in the lane for a 1 ¼-length win with seven furlongs complete in 1:21.25 over a fast main track. She earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure; Diamondrella received an 80. Gabby’s Golden Gal, 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro – Gabriellina Giof, by Ashkalani, paid $25.20 to win.
     Proviso, favored at 2.10-1, rallied from fouth to finish second, 1 ¼ lengths clear of third-place finisher Free Flying Soul. Czechers finished fourth.
     Tuscan Evening was scratched from the race open to fillies and mares, ages 4 and up, and reduced the number of starters to 11.
     Diamondrella ran her latest start for trainer Gary Stevens, who has since disbanded his training operation, and has since been transferred to the care of Richard Dutrow Jr. in Florida.
     LAST UPDATED: February 17, 2010