Broberg has solid pair with Diva's Diamond, Honey's Ryan in Pippin

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Karl Broberg will send out the capable pair of Diva’s Diamond and Honey’s Ryan against Grade 1 winner Spring in the Air in the $100,000 Pippin at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

“I have a nice one-two punch in there,” said Broberg, who led all North American-based trainers in wins in 2014.

The Pippin, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares, is the first local step toward the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn on April 10. Others making up Saturday’s nine-horse field include Courageous Julie, a two-time allowance winner last fall at Keeneland; Mufajaah, who exits the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs; and the 10-time winner Lady Haddassah.

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Key contenders

Diva’s Diamond (Last 3 Beyers: 86-86-79)

* She is seeking to turn the tables on stablemate Honey’s Ryan after finishing second to that one Dec. 14 in the $100,000 She’s All In at Remington Park. Diva’s Diamond broke from post 11 in that race at a mile and 70 yards.

“Last time out, the jockey had to use her a little bit from the outside post,” said Broberg. “We just didn’t want her too far back.”

* Diva’s Diamond drew a better post for Saturday, getting gate No. 3.

“I think it’s going to allow us to just let her do what she needs to do in there,” said Broberg.

* Ramon Vazquez has the mount for Jerry Namy.

Honey’s Ryan (Last 3 Beyers: 89-59-76)

* She led throughout to win the She’s All In with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

* Honey’s Ryan broke from an ideal post 5 last out but drew gate 9 for the Pippin.

“Obviously, I wasn’t too excited about [the Pippin post], but she’s going to be forwardly placed from the beginning, so I don’t think it will be too much of a hindrance,” said Broberg.

* Honey’s Ryan, to be ridden by Luis Quinonez, now is based at Oaklawn along with Diva’s Diamond.

“They both like the transition – Remington to Oaklawn,” said Broberg.

Courageous Julie (Last 3 Beyers: 75-47-75)

* She won back-to-back allowances at Keeneland in October, one over seven furlongs and the other at 1 1/16 miles.

“On a given day, she’s pretty effective,” said trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Spring in the Air (Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-87)

* The winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades at 2, she last raced Nov. 22 and rallied from next to last for fourth in the $200,000 Treasure Chest at Delta Downs.