Diamond Jim finds another tough spot

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Diamond Jim will make the third start of his career in Keeneland’s sixth race on Wednesday, a $72,000, seven-furlong allowance for 3-year-olds, and is one of a few in the field who have already tangled with some of this year’s top classics prospects.

The sixth race is one of three allowance or optional-claiming events on Wednesday’s card, which begins a shortened four-day race week; there is no racing on Easter Sunday.

Diamond Jim made his debut Jan. 4 at Gulfstream for Todd Pletcher, who also trained his sire, Gemologist. Diamond Jim finished sixth on the sloppy track after being bumped at the start and later steadied.

Clear of all the trouble was 15-length winner Malagacy, who subsequently won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and is set to start Saturday in the Arkansas Derby, where he will try to remain unbeaten in four career starts. Third-place finisher Lenstar also came back to win his next outing.

Diamond Jim came back to win his next start Feb. 15 at Gulfstream over $500,000 juvenile purchase Switzerland, with Giuseppe the Great third. Switzerland and Giuseppe the Great met again last Saturday at Keeneland, with Giuseppe the Great rallying to win his maiden and Switzerland finishing third, beaten less than a length.

Diamond Jim earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87 for his maiden win, tying for the highest number in Wednesday’s field. The other to match that figure is Excitations, who did so while finishing second by a head to Louisiana Derby winner Girvin in the debut for both horses last December at Fair Grounds.

Trained by Al Stall, Excitations won his next outing, then finished third in an optional claimer when stretched out to a mile and 70 yards.

Our Stormin Norman broke through last fall at Keeneland, where he was a 2 1/2-length maiden winner at this seven-furlong distance in his fifth start, posting a vastly improved Beyer. He finished 10th in the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot, won by Gunnevera, to end the season.

◗ In the fifth race, an optional claimer for fillies and mares, Walkabout makes her first start since finishing third in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap last November at Churchill Downs.

◗ There are a pair of maiden special weight events on the card, with the opener for 2-year-olds. Wesley Ward, who has won both juvenile races at the young meet, has entered a pair, including Bangle for the Coolmore team. The Giant’s Causeway filly is from the family of champion Banshee Breeze.