Stealthediamonds Swipes Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint

ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Mike Puype’s Stealthediamonds continued her upward trajectory since being claimed when she swiped Saturday’s $150,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Breaking from post 3 under Agapito Delgadillo as the 3/1 second choice against fellow California-breds, Stealthediamonds rocketed out to an easy early lead, then posted unpressured opening fractions of :22.16 and :44.73. Off the far turn, the 1/2 favorite Just Grazed Me made a move toward the front, but Stealthediamonds had much more left in the tank.

Though Just Grazed Me ranged up within a 1/2-length, Stealthediamonds never let her get any closer before crossing with that advantage in hand. She completed the 5 1/2-furlong sprint over the firm turf course in a final time of 1:01.61.

“She got away pretty easy and she was just breezing,” Delgadillo said. “At the top of the lane, I asked her for more and she put it in another gear and we came home easily.”

Just Grazed Me was 3/4 of a length ahead of Apache Princess, both of whom were victims of a paceless race. Lakerball, Show It N Moe It, and Lippy completed the order of finish. Into Rissa was scratched.

Stealthediamonds’ win was her second in as many starts for Puype, who claimed her for $80,000 out of a third-place effort over this same course and distance on October 27. The 4-year-old daughter of Unusual Heat now sports a record of 17-6-3-4 (including 6-4-0-1 at this distance) with $289,875 earned for current owners James and Ywachetta Driver.

“We claimed her with this (race) in mind,” Puype said. “Opportunities like this don’t come along too often. Her speed makes her dangerous, especially when there’s no other speed in the race. It’s nice to get such a quick dividend on the $80,000 investment.”

Stealthediamonds returned $8.80 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.20 to show. Just Grazed Me brought back $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show, while Apache Princess paid $2.10 to show.