The current queen, Diamond Tiara, a 7 year old daughter of
McArdle, reeled-off her 13th seasonal victory and 9th
consecutive here on Monday afternoon, June 2nd. Last year the
industry was watching Tracys Song who also had a consecutive win streak and her
seasonal triumphs also led North America at this comparable time.
Jimmy Taggart, Jr. was once again in the sulky for trainer
Mike Watson and he drove the mare perfectly, scooting to the lead (from
post five) in a :28 first quarter and then coasting through a middle half
before pouring on a :28.3 final quarter en route to a seasonal best
of 1:56.4.
“She was real good today,” a smiling Taggart said when he
reached the winners circle. “She never ceases to amaze me. I ask for more and
she gives it to me.”
It was no easy journey for Diamond Tiara this week. Her
quick speed away from the gate has been the reason she gets to the lead
although over the past two weeks the other drivers have roughed her up a bit
before yielding command.
But once on top Diamond Tiara is the queen of the throne and
she awaits a signal from her driver before she steps it up. And when Taggart
asks the mare digs in and fights like the queen that she is.
And today her competition was arguably the toughest yet in
the $7500 claiming allowance paces she’s been racing in. One, Shortest
Distance, another Mighty M mare who is currently runner-up in wins to Diamond
Tiara, was the main competition, considered so much so that the public even
made her the betting favorite at post time relegating Diamond to second choice.
Perhaps that Shortest Distance (Bruce Aldrich, Jr.) had to
leave from the seven- hole was a reason why she fell short and finished sixth.
Or maybe the winner was just to gritty to allow the others, even those
that looked her in the eyes from the half on, to get by her today.
Second place went to the Zeke Parker-driven Givemybest
Hanover who despite shadowing Diamond Tiara from the get-go couldn’t make up
any ground in the deep stretch although one would have figured she got the
perfect pocket trip which attests to the grit of the winner. Extreme Terror,
driven by Kyle DiBenedetto, moved first up at the half and raced side-by-side
with Diamond Tiara until the latter pulled away on the final turn and then
braced for Givemybest Hanover’s best shot in the lane.
“She’s just got a lot of class” was Taggart’s retort to the
question of why is she so good now. “She’s so handy and a real pleasure to sit
behind.”
Now with 13 victories this year Diamond Tiara has
opened a two-win lead over runners –up Shortest Distance and Camco Kyle, each
with 11.
When asked what trainer Mike Watson is like to drive for
Taggart cocked his head and smiled a sheepish grin and said,” I never met him.”
Owned by Philip Schultz Diamond Tiara paid $6.20 for win.
