Diamond Diva rallied in the stretch to hold off a surging Ventura in a thrilling edition of the Grade 2 CashCall Mile at Hollywood Park on Saturday. Ventura had actually passed Diamond Diva by a neck in the stretch and appeared to be sailing smoothly for the win. Somehow DiamondDiva found a little extra deep down inside and was able to re-rally and get her nose down in front in an amazingly close finish.
As expected, La Tee was able to get the lead on the field and took them through opening fraction of 24.25 and 47.60 leading the field into the stretch. Passified, a stablemate of Diamond Diva for trainer James Cassidy, actually got first jump on the pace setter and looked primed to run a big one.
Diamond Diva ended up passing her stablemate quickly and had her nose in front for a moment in the stretch. Ventura, who had been the morning line favorite at 9/5 but was sent off as the 2nd choice by the betting public at 2/1, unleashed a winning move in the stretch down the center of the track that looked good enough to prevail.
Just when the race seemed over, you could see Diamond Diva making a late bid in the final strides. The photo finish revealed the unthinkable - she had fought back in the stretch and got her nose down in front as they bobbed to the wire.
Lady of Venice was sent off as the favorite and finished a somewhat disappointing third. Diamond Diva returned $6.60 for the win.
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