Diamond Bachelor needs to play to strength in Mecke Handicap

Diamond Bachelor has always been at his best when able to control the pace of his races, as evidenced by his back-to-back wire-to-wire stakes victories last year at Gulfstream Park. So, it came as quite a surprise when Diamond Bachelor was taken off the early lead on his way to finishing fourth as the even-money favorite in his latest start in an allowance here June 22.

Diamond Bachelor should be able to atone for that loss if he is allowed to use his speed and inside post position to good advantage Sunday at Gulfstream Park in the $50,000 Mecke Handicap. A well-matched field of nine was entered in the 1 1/8-mile turf race, including the top-weighted Manchurian High, stakes winners Two Step Time and J R’s Holiday, and the red-hot Diaz, who brings a three-race winning streak into the race.

Diamond Bachelor is winless in seven starts since his 1 1/2-length victory in the Mr. Steele overnight stakes here last October. His best effort since then was a second-place finish behind the odds-on Keystoneforvictory after setting the pace through midstretch of a 1 1/2-mile starter handicap on May 29. Trainer Patrick Biancone has reached out to a new rider, the veteran Mirko Sanna, to handle Diamond Bachelor in the Mecke.

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Manchurian High, who will tote 122 pounds, has started just four times since capturing the Sunshine Millions Turf for Florida-breds nearly 18 months ago. One of those outings came in the spring at Fair Hill when the 9-year-old tried racing over the jumps for the first time. He finished a promising second in the grueling 2 1/4-mile test for maiden hurdlers.

Like Manchurian High, neither Two Step Time nor J R’s Holiday has won in some time. Two Step Time has lost 11 consecutive starts since capturing an overnight stakes at Sam Houston nearly 18 months ago, while J R’s Holiday has dropped nine straight decisions since winning the Kitten’s Joy Stakes in his 3-year-old debut.

Two Step Time finished third and was placed second via a stewards’ disqualification in last month’s Soldier’s Dancer Stakes. J R’s Holiday turned in an even effort to finish behind Diamond Bachelor on June 22. He was making his first start since being transferred to trainer Saffie Joseph’s care during the spring.

Diaz, on the other hand, has done nothing but win of late, dominating the mid-level starter-allowance ranks for trainer Tamara Levy. All three victories in his streak came by just a neck. Diaz loses his regular rider, the red-hot Tyler Gaffalione, to Two Step Time in the Mecke.

Indian Guide has finished third in his last three starts, including an overnight stakes on Feb. 20, when he earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure that is almost a career high. Spring Up did post a lifetime-best Beyer of 89 while defeating both Diamond Bachelor and J R’s Holiday in his last start and is yet another key player in a field that also includes Galleon Mast and Very Very Stella.

Key Contenders

Diamond Bachelor, by War Front

Last 3 Beyers: 82-87-89

◗ He’ll seek to win at 1 1/8 miles for the first time in four tries.

Manchurian High, by The Daddy

Last 3 Beyers: 92-86-93

◗ He faces a tough task as the highweight while coming off a layoff of more than seven months following his seventh-place finish in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap at Gulfstream Park West.