Diamondsandpearls looks to regain luster in comeback

CYPRESS, Calif. – The 3-year-old filly Diamondsandpearls has done a considerable amount of traveling but no racing since she finished fourth in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at Del Mar in August 2017.

Diamondsandpearls was sidelined with injury after the Sorrento and later sent to trainer Jeremy Noseda in England before rejoining trainer Bob Baffert in California earlier this year. Since July, Diamondsandpearls has had a steady series of workouts at Los Alamitos and Del Mar, and on Sunday she appears in an allowance race with a $40,000 claiming option for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs at Los Alamitos.

“She’s been working well,” Baffert said. “It’s a good spot for her. I wanted to run her at Del Mar, but they didn’t use the race.”

Diamondsandpearls, owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, is part of a full field of 10 in the ninth and final race on Sunday. The race drew 11 entrants, with Late ‘n Left on the also-eligible list.

Diamondsandpearls will face a test from the quick claimer Naughty Sophie, a winner of her last two starts; Conquest Flatterme, who was second in a race at this level at Del Mar on Aug. 5; and Media Tone, a winner here in a maiden special weight race at the summer meeting in July.

KEY CONTENDERS

Diamondsandpearls, by Congrats
Beyers: 47-70

◗ Diamondsandpearls, purchased for $1.7 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in March 2017, won her debut in brilliant style at Santa Anita in July 2017, drawing off by 6 1/4 lengths. She failed to threaten the leaders in the Sorrento, fading to finish 16 lengths behind race winner Spectator.

A few weeks later, Diamondsandpearls was taken out of training.

“She had an issue and needed some time,” Baffert said.

◗ Diamondsandpearls was sent to England to be prepared for her comeback. Phoenix Thoroughbreds had horses with Noseda at the time, an arrangement that ended earlier this year.

Conquest Flatterme, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 79-72-83

◗ Conquest Flatterme is a four-time winner and is eligible for this race under the allowance conditions since three of the wins have come in claiming races. On Aug. 5, Conquest Flatterme led in the stretch of an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs and was beaten a head by Sprint Lily.

◗ Stewart Elliott has the mount on Conquest Flatterme, who is most effective as a stalker.

Naughty Sophie, by Horse Greeley
Last 3 Beyers: 85-85-44

◗ Naughty Sophie won a $20,000 claiming race for maidens by 8 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on June 21 and a $20,000 claimer for 3-year-old fillies by 7 3/4 lengths at Del Mar on July 27. Those races were run at 5 1/2 furlongs. Naughty Sophie was claimed in the July 27 race, but the claim was later voided because of unsoundness.

◗ Naughty Sophie has drawn the rail and is expected to set the pace under Geovanni Franco, who was aboard for the two recent wins.