Band Is Passing wins

Band Is Passing returned from a six-week layoff to post a 4 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Flying Pidgeon Handicap at Calder Race Course on Saturday. Link to Jimmy finished second and Marquette was third.

A 6-year-old son of Doc's Leader, Band Is Passing completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.50 over firm turf, and returned $3 to win.

Owned and trained by Stanley Ersoff, Band Is Passing has now won 13 of 29 career starts. He has shown a preference for Calder's turf course, having now won over it nine times in his career.

* At Delaware Park, Heirloom Diamond upset the $100,000 Blue Hen Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by a half-length over Lets Just Do It, returning $20.40 to win. Favored Lady Echo was third.

Heirloom Diamond covered the mile in 1:41.79 over a wet-fast track.

Heirloom Diamond raced well back early, but advanced between rivals on the turn. She made the lead in upper stretch and prevailed. Heirloom Diamond is trained by Timothy Ritchey.