California Diamond will stretch out in King Glorious

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Diamond has won more stakes for trainer Peter Miller in 2016 than any other horse.

Purchased for $125,000 at the Barretts paddock sale at Del Mar in July, California Diamond won three consecutive stakes from mid-September to early November.

California Diamond will have his first start at a mile when he faces five rivals in Sunday’s $100,000 King Glorious Stakes for 2-year-old California-breds at Los Alamitos. Sunday’s nine-race program is on the final day of the Los Alamitos winter meeting. Santa Anita opens its winter-spring meeting on Dec. 26.

California Diamond is the only stakes winner in the King Glorious field, although three others have been second or third in stakes – Ann Arbor Eddie, Hot Smoke, and Milton Freewater.

KEY CONTENDERS

California Diamond, by Harbor the Gold
Last 3 Beyers: 84-78-83

◗ California Diamond’s winning streak ended with a second to Mastery in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 19. Mastery won the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 10 and is rated as the leading 2-year-old in California.

◗ California Diamond’s three stakes wins were at distances ranging from six to seven furlongs. He won from off the pace in the Barretts Juvenile at Los Alamitos in September and the Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita in October, and from the front in the Golden State Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

“I think he’ll get the two turns,” Miller said. “He’s very adaptable to any situation. If the pace is fast, he can sit off it. If it’s slow, he can lead.”

◗ Owned by Rockingham Ranch, California Diamond won the Santa Anita Juvenile prior to being sold in July. California Diamond has earned $289,180 since then.

“He’s been something else,” Miller said. “He’s exceeded expectations. He’s not particularly correct, but he’s sound.”

◗ If California Diamond runs well Sunday, he will be pointed to the $250,000 California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 28, Miller said.

Ann Arbor Eddie, by Square Eddie
Beyers: 81-64

◗ Ann Arbor Eddie has developed rapidly in his two starts, both this fall. Ann Arbor Eddie won his debut at odds of 6-5 in a maiden race for California-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 28, and was third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, by Mastery in the Bob Hope Stakes. Ann Arbor Eddie was third throughout the Bob Hope, and lost ground against the leader in the final furlong.

◗ He was bred by owners Paul and Zillah Reddam and is trained by Doug O’Neill.

Hot Smoke, by Unusual Heat
Last 3 Beyers: 70-76-61

◗ Hot Smoke was second to California Diamond in the Golden State Juvenile, but fourth as the 6-5 favorite in an optional claimer for California-breds at 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Nov. 25.