Haute Diva announced her return to top form with an impressive late surge to capture the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, overcoming a talented field of three-year-old fillies with a performance that underlined the ability her connections have long believed she possesses.
The daughter of Constitution had been given a two-month break following disappointing efforts in the Gulfstream Park Oaks and Davona Dale Stakes, races in which her pre-race behaviour prevented her from producing her best form. Back on the all-weather surface and partnered for the first time by Keith Asmussen, Haute Diva settled at the rear before unleashing a sweeping move around the far turn to circle her rivals and take command in the stretch.
Haute Diva Martha Washington Stakes.
The Patrick Biancone-trained filly showed both acceleration and determination, repelling the challenge of Mia Familia in the closing stages to score by half a length. Bayou Brigid filled third place, another 2½ lengths behind the runner-up.
Biancone was delighted to see the filly channel her considerable talent in the right direction after a carefully managed freshening period.
“She’s very talented,” the trainer said. “The owner was nice enough to get a nice long break with her and re-group everything. Keith came to work her in the morning, and she really liked him, so he came to ride her. She was perfect in the parade. She did everything right, so now we can start to look for something bigger for her on dirt.”
The victory was achieved in a time of 1:43.23 for 1 1/16 miles and marked a welcome return to winning ways for a filly who had earlier captured the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream.
Keith Asmussen, who has become familiar with Haute Diva through regular morning exercise rides, entered the race with confidence despite the filly’s reputation for being sensitive and highly strung.
“I’ve been lucky enough that Patrick has allowed me to get on her multiple times in the morning,” Asmussen said. “He’s obviously thought a lot about this filly. I think his optimism bleeds over to me. I had the world of confidence in her going into this race.”
Asmussen revealed that the primary instruction before the race was simply to conserve the filly’s energy until it mattered most.
The success was further evidence that the break had achieved its purpose. Haute Diva had been training sharply at Palm Meadows, including a notably fast half-mile workout that hinted she was ready to return to her best.
The Haute Diva Martha Washington Stakes victory was one of three featured stakes contests on the Gulfstream Park programme.
In the $100,000 Big Drama Stakes, Saint George Stable’s Rolando produced a determined display to edge out Back Em Up by a nose after seven furlongs. Trained by Fausto Gutierrez and ridden by Diego Herrera, the four-year-old son of Vekoma tracked the pace before striking in the stretch and holding on in a tight finish. Pure Class finished third.
Herrera completed a memorable afternoon when guiding Chicken Dance to victory in the $100,000 Not Surprising Stakes for three-year-olds.
Representing Paterpop Racing LLC, Chicken Dance settled behind the leaders before producing a strong late run to overhaul Bolero Boy in the closing stages. The son of Neolithic won by 1¼ lengths, stopping the clock at 1:42.66 for 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta. Bolero Boy finished second ahead of Khon Han.
Saturday’s card ultimately belonged to Haute Diva, whose resurgence provided one of the most encouraging performances of the meeting. With her temperament under control and her talent once again on full display, bigger targets now appear firmly within reach.
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