Hoosier Philly. (Coady Media)
By Robert Yates
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The accomplished Hoosier Philly emphatically snapped a four-race losing streak in the $200,000 Dig A Diamond Stakes.
Justifying her 6-5 favoritism, Hoosier Philly split horses along the inside in the upper stretch and rolled to a 3 ¾-length victory in the one-mile race for older fillies and mares. Absinthe, a 17-1 long shot, finished second, a half-length ahead of Indiana-bred standout Bluelightspecial.
Rafael Bejarano rode Hoosier Philly, a 4-year-old daughter of super sire Into Mischief, for trainer Tom Amoss and owner Gold Standard Racing Stable, LLC (Bill Stone).
Hoosier Philly was an unbeaten Grade 2 winner at 2, but the Dig A Diamond marked her first victory since the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile June 17 at Ellis Park. Her four-race skid included a ninth-place finish in the $2 million G1-Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Nov. 4 at Santa Anita and even fifth in her last start, the $250,000 Matron Stakes for older female sprinters March 30 at Oaklawn. Hoosier Philly ($4.40) removed blinkers for what Amoss called her preferred distance.
The only anxious moment was late on the second turn when Hoosier Philly, in tight along the inside, was racing just behind front-runners Stellar Lily and Bluelightspecial. Approaching the three-sixteenths pole, a patient Bejarano found a seam between a tiring Stellar Lily (rail) and Bluelightspecial and Hoosier Philly quickly took command.
Bluelightspecial finished two lengths ahead of Wildwood Bye, who was followed, in order, by I’m the Boss of Me, Olivia Twist, Crypto Mo, Stellar Lily and Bow Draw. Racing over a fast track, Hoosier Philly ran one mile in 1:39.33.
Hoosier Philly raised her career earnings to $845,660 following her fifth victory in 12 starts. The Dig A Diamond was her fourth career stakes victory.
A $510,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, Hoosier Philly was three-for three as a 2-year-old. Her victories included the $400,000 G2-Golden Rod Stakes and $200,000 Rags to Riches Stakes. Both 1 1/16-mile races were at Churchill Downs.
Dig A Diamond Quotes
Winning Jockey (Rafael Bejarano/Hoosier Philly): “I was waiting only for the right moment. Such a nice filly. When she was warming up, she was ready. I knew she was going to be the filly to beat, so I just tried to be patient with her. When they came into the stretch and she saw the clear (path), I let her go. I didn’t even have to hit her. Just let her go.”
Winning Trainer (Tom Amoss/Hoosier Philly): “For Hoosier Philly, we wanted to get back on track with her. She needs to get her confidence back. And today’s race, she was in tight down the backside and tight around the turn. (Jockey Rafael Bejarano) didn’t panic. He got his opening. She kicked clear. I thought she ran a really good race and I think it’s a great race for her confidence.”
