'Diamond' to be tested at two turns

AUBURN, Wash. - Diamond Dollars, who was nominated to take on older fillies and mares in Sunday's 6 1/2-furlong Washington State Legislators Handicap, will instead meet her peers in Saturday's best race at Emerald Downs. Diamond Dollars will face five other 3-year-old fillies in a one-mile test to be run under $40,000 optional claiming conditions.

"I have no doubt that she would have run very well against the older horses, but I'm anxious to see if she can route," said trainer Bill Tollett. "I have a pretty good idea that she can."

Diamond Dollars, a daughter of Stravinsky, has been little shy of sensational since Tollett claimed her for Jerry Miller's K J Star Stable for just $12,500 at Sunland Park on April 8. She came back to blitz $25,000 maidens by seven lengths with six furlongs in 1:08.20 in her local debut on May 5, then returned to win the May 21 Federal Way Handicap by a resounding 10 lengths in 1:15.60 for 6 1/2 furlongs.

Diamond Dollars is sure to be favored off her last two efforts, but she faces stiff opposition from Canadian invader No Ka Oi. A daughter of Vying Victor from the barn of trainer Robert Gilker, No Ka Oi won the $106,000 Sadie Diamond Futurity and placed in two other stakes at Hastings Park last season. In her 3-year-old debut on April 22, she finished fifth to Bond Queen in the 6 1/2-furlong Supernaturel Stakes there.

Also dangerous is Imagunna, who is undefeated and untested through two career starts, both at the current meeting.